BT has entered a seven-year strategic partnership with NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, to modernise and secure the organisation’s critical network infrastructure.
The collaboration will strengthen NATS’ technical foundation by consolidating and upgrading its data network, creating a resilient, scalable architecture to support air traffic operations across the UK. NATS currently handles around 2.5 million flights each year, highlighting the importance of robust, reliable connectivity and strong cybersecurity measures to sustain safe and efficient air travel.
Under the long-term agreement, BT will lead a comprehensive programme to modernise NATS’ network and improve its cyber defences. The work includes replacing ageing systems, consolidating network components to simplify management, and implementing advanced security controls to protect operational sites from evolving threats. BT will also establish a centralised, proactive coordination hub charged with driving cyber resilience and incident readiness across the NATS estate.
BT’s network engineering and cybersecurity expertise will be applied across the NATS supplier ecosystem to deliver an integrated, end-to-end solution. The goal is to ensure high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity coupled with robust threat detection and response capabilities, enabling NATS to maintain secure operations as aviation demands grow and technology evolves.
Andy Rowe, Director of Central Government at BT, said:
“Secure, high-bandwidth connectivity is essential to keep the UK’s air traffic moving. After many years building world-class networks and cybersecurity for critical national infrastructure, we look forward to delivering these capabilities for NATS.
As part of this partnership, we will provide both network services and cybersecurity within the NATS strategic supplier ecosystem, consolidating and modernising the entire network to build a world-class digital infrastructure fit for the future of air traffic management.”
NATS operates across 14 UK airports and manages the nation’s airspace from its control centres in Swanwick and Prestwick. The organisation also provides air traffic services internationally, including at Hong Kong International Airport and Gibraltar Airport, demonstrating a broad operational footprint that benefits from enhanced connectivity and security.
Tim Bullock, Supply Chain & Facilities Management Director at NATS, added:
“NATS is implementing a transformational technology programme to keep the skies safe and support our global customers, so it is vital to have BT, an industry leader, alongside us.
We select partners who excel technically to join our collaborative ecosystem. I’m pleased with this partnership and look forward to working together for many years to deliver effective solutions for our customers.”
Together, BT and NATS aim to set new standards for how air navigation services are supported by modern digital infrastructure and cybersecurity practices. The programme’s improvements to network performance, resilience and security are expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce risk across the air traffic landscape.
Over the next seven years, the partnership will deliver phased upgrades and ongoing operational support designed to accommodate future traffic growth and technological change. The initiative is positioned to raise benchmarks for operational excellence and cyber resilience within the aviation sector.
(Image Credit: BT)
See also: Risk Register 2023: Infrastructure cyberattack could harm thousands
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