New Boy
2nd Mar 2001, 23:55
BOEING TO JOIN AIRLINE GROUP BID FOR NATS.
(London - 02Mar01, 12:54 GMT).
Boeing is to join the airline-led consortium bidding for a stake in UK
National Air Traffic Services in order to offer technical support to the
team, although it will not be an equity partner in the group. Having
expressed an interest last year in participating in the NATS privatisation -
through which the UK Government will sell a 46% shareholding to a strategic
partner - the US manufacturer is committing itself to the Airline Group
comprising eight UK carriers with backing from European air traffic
authorities and BT. Boeing has been keen to play a greater role in the
development of air traffic control technology. Last October the firm
announced that it was raising the status of its air traffic management
business division, and the company is developing a comprehensive proposal
for the US Government on future airspace management.
Airline Group says that while its immediate strategy for NATS will be to
ensure quick and smooth introduction of the long-delayed Swanwick en route
centre, which will replace the main London Area and Terminal Control Centre
near Heathrow, it needs a partner to study techniques for handling UK
airspace demand in the longer term.
"That's where a company like Boeing would come in," says an Airline Group
spokesman. "We'd be very excited about the prospect."
Boeing's air traffic management proposals centre on the increased use of
satellite-based technology for navigation and landing, surveillance and
air-ground communication. Airline Group is battling against the Serco-led
Nimbus consortium for the NATS shareholding. The UK Government is seeking to
conclude a deal on the privatisation this spring.
(London - 02Mar01, 12:54 GMT).
Boeing is to join the airline-led consortium bidding for a stake in UK
National Air Traffic Services in order to offer technical support to the
team, although it will not be an equity partner in the group. Having
expressed an interest last year in participating in the NATS privatisation -
through which the UK Government will sell a 46% shareholding to a strategic
partner - the US manufacturer is committing itself to the Airline Group
comprising eight UK carriers with backing from European air traffic
authorities and BT. Boeing has been keen to play a greater role in the
development of air traffic control technology. Last October the firm
announced that it was raising the status of its air traffic management
business division, and the company is developing a comprehensive proposal
for the US Government on future airspace management.
Airline Group says that while its immediate strategy for NATS will be to
ensure quick and smooth introduction of the long-delayed Swanwick en route
centre, which will replace the main London Area and Terminal Control Centre
near Heathrow, it needs a partner to study techniques for handling UK
airspace demand in the longer term.
"That's where a company like Boeing would come in," says an Airline Group
spokesman. "We'd be very excited about the prospect."
Boeing's air traffic management proposals centre on the increased use of
satellite-based technology for navigation and landing, surveillance and
air-ground communication. Airline Group is battling against the Serco-led
Nimbus consortium for the NATS shareholding. The UK Government is seeking to
conclude a deal on the privatisation this spring.