Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Serco Air Traffic Control Services contract with GCANS extended

Aerospace Defence Security

Serco Air Traffic Control Services contract with GCANS extended

Building on its long-term partnership with the Ministry of Transport, Serco Middle East has been awarded an extension of its Air Traffic Control Services, to continue providing support for the General Company for Air Navigation Services (GCANS) at Baghdad Airport.


Courtesy Serco

With its over 50 Serco employees on the ground, the company is also providing operational Air Traffic Control staff and instructors, as well as key advisors in AIS, CNS training and management. 

As part of the partnership, Serco will continue to provide operational support, On‐the‐Job Training Instruction (OJTI) including the certification training of OJTIs and Examiner duties in the areas of Area, Approach and Tower Control. Serco’s remit also includes management mentorship programmes in Safety, Quality Assurance and ATC Training along with management support to all areas of Air Navigation Services.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Serco has been providing  air navigation services in the Middle East for over 70 years and the extension to the contract is testament to a number of key milestones that have been reached during the eight-year tenure, including:

  • Meeting the commitment of the Government of Iraq to transition and transfer Iraqi sovereign airspace and sectors from the US military to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority
  • Implementation of Reduced Vertical Separation Minima as well as reduction of longitudinal separation (miles in trail) from 40 Miles to 20 Miles to accommodate growth in traffic.
  • Training and certification of Iraqi air traffic controllers from Ab Initio to Specialists (over 120 certified controllers trained by Serco to date)
  • Working closely with Iraq Civil Aviation Authority to separate its service provision function to the General Company for Air Navigation Services
  • Several Air Traffic Services courses including English Language and Aviation English delivered to over 450 Iraqi ATS students
  • Over 10 individual pulse awards given to Serco staff in Baghdad (including one Global award)
  • Over five contract pulse awards won since 2011 (including one Global award)
Advertisement
DSEI 2025

The contract was signed following a visit by CEO of Serco Middle East, Phil Malem who met with stakeholders and staff from Serco. Commenting on the extension, Malem said: “We are honoured to have been awarded with an extension of our partnership with the General Company for Air Navigation Services (GCANS) to deliver the best possible air traffic services and highest standard of aviation training to support Iraq’s aviation sector.

“Over the past eight years, the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) has had many notable strides forward and Serco is proud to have played an important role in these successes. We have now taken another key step towards establishing a structured, modern and safe air traffic control environment capable of producing the revenue streams to support the development of aviation in Iraq. However, both the Government of Iraq and Serco fully understand that there is still much work to be done.”

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

Aerospace

Bombardier’s paint facility at Biggin Hill set for 2026 opening

14 July 2025

Bombardier's development of a new 51,000 sq. ft. paint facility at the London Biggin Hill Service Centre is progressing with several key processes completed, including ground stabilisation and foundation work on the hangar.

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

Aerospace

AAIB launches investigation into incident at Southend Airport

14 July 2025

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has started an investigation into an incident near Southend Airport on Sunday 13th July, involving a 12-metre plane that crashed shortly after take-off.

First electric flight lands at Gatwick

Aerospace

First electric flight lands at Gatwick

14 July 2025

The first ever electric flight to land at London Gatwick took place last Thursday as part of the VINCI Airports Network Elektro Tour.

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

Aerospace

Airframe Designs appoints new Advisory Board chairman

14 July 2025

Aerospace specialist Airframe Designs has appointed David Roberts as the new chairman of its Advisory Board, as it continues to expand its services in engineering and additive manufacturing to the aviation and related sectors worldwide.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Birmingham Airport unveils terminal upgrades

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport unveils terminal upgrades

14 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has unveiled its latest terminal investment as it opened extended boarding gate lounges.

Frequentis enhances Gatwick

Aerospace

Frequentis enhances Gatwick's departure efficiency

14 July 2025

London Gatwick has deployed the Frequentis Departure Manager (DMAN) system that went into full network mode on 23rd June 2025 as part of Gatwick’s Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) programme, which is connected to the EUROCONTROL Network Manager, enabling better coordination across European airspace.

Advertisement
Teledyne