Alliancing strategy
Given the strong EC regulatory focus on addressing Europe ’ s current fragmented ATM system , achievement of future regulatory requirements through isolated national action by individual ANSPs will be challenging . Therefore , there is growing pressure for operationally beneficial partnerships which build on , or compliment , the current frameworks ( FABs and SESAR ) to deliver the future SES ATM system .
Over the past few years NATS has entered into a number of alliances with a view to positioning itself as a European leader in ATM within the context of SES . The form and nature of these alliances varies , but fundamentally they have been focused on delivering operational benefit to our customers . For example , we are a member of the Borealis Alliance of 9 North European ANSPs which focuses on strategic business cooperation between ANSPs , seeking economies of scale and projects that can be achieved on a commercial basis , complementing the work of the northern European Functional Airspace Blocks ( FABs – see illustration ) but without the need for regulatory or State involvement . This alliance also helps achieve Single European Sky ATM Research ( SESAR ) deployment , in service of a Single European Sky ( SES ).
We will continue to develop alliances with European ANSPs and believe this wider cooperation is likely to deliver greater benefits to customers in RP2 than the current FAB approach .
We are also influencing the industry in other ways . We are a member of the Aviation Platform , made up of representatives of the European aviation sector , set up to provide strategic advice to the EC on how to establish the basis for a sustainable future for air transport and a competitive future for the European aviation industry .
26 Annual Report and Accounts 2013 | NATS Holdings Limited