Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • NATS and AiQ Consulting win Best Solution Provider at AOA Awards

Aerospace

NATS and AiQ Consulting win Best Solution Provider at AOA Awards

NATS is celebrating after their project was named a winner at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Awards.

Above: NATS and AiQ Consulting accept their award.  (left to right) Simon Calder, AiQ Managing Director Derek Allen, NATS Portfolio Manager Gary Conroy and AOA Chair Baroness Ruby McGregor- Smith.
Courtesy NATS

Together with AiQ Consulting, NATS’ project won the “Best Solution Provider” award which recognises businesses in the aviation and airport sectors that have delivered new, innovative solutions to meet a defined business need.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The prize acknowledged the delivery of an end-to-end airport capacity assessment at Bristol Airport – the ninth busiest airport in the UK – focusing on pinch points between kerbside and airside.
NATS and AiQ Consulting worked to deliver a completely integrated assessment of the entire airport operation and developed a range of immediate suggested actions and longer-term investments to secure efficiency of the operation.

With exciting and ambitious plans for the future backed by significant infrastructural investment, Bristol Airport now has a validated actionable roadmap that enables them to achieve ongoing improvements to the customer experience.

Gary Franklin, NATS’ Customer Solutions and Delivery Director, said: “By bringing together experts from air traffic control, airport operations, stand planning, baggage management and passenger flow, NATS and AiQ were able to help Bristol Airport understand how to improve capacity constraints across the entire airport, by helping to identify and prioritise investment needs.

“Finding innovative ways to solve specific operational and technical challenges is one of NATS’ key capabilities so we are delighted that our project with AiQ has won this prestigious award.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

AiQ’s Managing Director, Derek Allen, said: “We are very proud to have won this award which was based on exceeding our client’s expectations. Together with NATS we provided an end-to-end capacity assessment from kerbside to airside at Bristol Airport, which took a holistic, whole-journey approach.

“The project demonstrated our deep operations experience and our modelling capabilities that enabled the airport to understand the customer challenges facing them and make the right decisions for the future. From big picture virtual reality modelling to highly detailed insights, the award was a recognition of the talents in the AiQ and NATS team.”

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is a national trade association which represents the interests of UK airports in areas such as security, economic development, operations and safety and environmental sustainability.

 
 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Digital Twin solutions set to deliver on UK-wide industrial transformation

Aerospace Defence Security

Digital Twin solutions set to deliver on UK-wide industrial transformation

24 June 2026

Digital Catapult has concluded its inaugural Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator which showcased cutting-edge digital twin solutions developed by nine small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the UK.

Intelligent Energy advances commercial hydrogen aviation

Aerospace

Intelligent Energy advances commercial hydrogen aviation

24 June 2026

Intelligent Energy has successfully completed H2GEAR (Hydrogen Electric Aircraft Propulsion System) - the UK’s flagship hydrogen aviation research programme - and is now applying the technology, expertise and infrastructure developed through the project to its next phase: commercial hydrogen fuel cell systems for zero-emission aircraft.

Gatwick Northern Runway Project cleared for take-off by High Court

Aerospace

Gatwick Northern Runway Project cleared for take-off by High Court

23 June 2026

The High Court in London has today upheld the UK Government’s decision to grant consent for Gatwick Airport’s Northern Runway Project.

Altus Group expands portfolio with SEHO partnership

Aerospace Defence

Altus Group expands portfolio with SEHO partnership

23 June 2026

Redditch based Altus Group has announced a new partnership with SEHO Systems GmbH, a German manufacturer specialising in wave and selective soldering systems, automation technology as well as THT inspection solutions.

Advertisement
ODU RT
From plane spotting to first flight

Aerospace

From plane spotting to first flight

23 June 2026

A Manchester man who grew up spotting planes at the city’s airport and spent a week on work experience as a teenager at the hub, yesterday realised his dream after piloting his first commercial flight for easyJet.

ASG Aerospace appoints Greg Bagwell CB CBE as Executive Chairman

Aerospace Defence

ASG Aerospace appoints Greg Bagwell CB CBE as Executive Chairman

22 June 2026

ASG Aerospace has appointed Air Marshal (retd) Greg Bagwell CB CBE as Executive Chairman, who has over three decades of operational leadership in the Royal Air Force and extensive experience across the aerospace and defence sectors.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB