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
Gulfstream banner
ALTEN opens office in Belfast

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ALTEN opens office in Belfast

14 April 2026

ALTEN has announced the opening of its newest UK office in Belfast, marking a significant strategic expansion into Northern Ireland.

Viasat AERA enters Boeing technical evaluation process

Aerospace Space Events

Viasat AERA enters Boeing technical evaluation process

14 April 2026

During the Aircraft Interior Expo (AIX) today, Viasat announced it has entered Boeing’s technical evaluation process to assess and qualify Viasat AERA, the company’s next-gen electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, across all current Boeing commercial airplane programmes.

NI aerospace innovation showcased at AIX

Aerospace Events

NI aerospace innovation showcased at AIX

14 April 2026

Today, three Northern Ireland aerospace companies are presenting their innovative aerospace solutions to airlines at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), Hamburg Messe, 14th-16th April 2026.

World’s busiest airports revealed

Aerospace

World’s busiest airports revealed

14 April 2026

Today, Airports Council International (ACI) World has revealed the 2025 rankings of the world’s busiest airports, highlighting the industry’s leading hubs across total passengers, international passengers, air cargo and aircraft movements.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Scottish Leather scales up BioFoam production

Aerospace

Scottish Leather scales up BioFoam production

13 April 2026

Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has opened a 75,000 sq. ft facility in Glasgow to design and manufacture BioPRO, its protein-based, recoverable moulded foam, with the new site marking a significant investment in the Group’s sustainable interior materials innovation for multiple passenger transport sectors and enabling its Muirhead brand to scale up ...

ACS UK unveils OMNIA at AIX 2026

Aerospace Events

ACS UK unveils OMNIA at AIX 2026

13 April 2026

Marking its return to Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026, ACS UK has unveiled OMNIA to demonstrate its capabilities in the design, engineering and manufacturing of customised premium cabin interiors.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner