The Gander Automated Air Traffic System (GAATS+) has been implemented at the Prestwick Centre in Scotland, which will complement the existing system across the North Atlantic at the Gander Control Center in Newfoundland.

The Gander Center is operated by Canada’s air navigation service provider (ANSP) NAV CANADA.

Related Company Profiles

View all

The shared system has now been made operational at the Prestwick Centre and is being operated by UK ANSP NATS.

With the installation of this new technology, controllers will be able to manage traffic across the North Atlantic, which is considered to be the busiest oceanic airspace in the world.

"This is a hugely important development, not only for the immediate benefits it will deliver, but also for future technologies that the system will enable."

GAATS+ has come into effect as a result of the partnership between NAV CANADA and NATS since 2003.

See Also:

Prestwick and Gander controllers will now be able to exchange messages using advanced automation, which will help in allowing improved coordination between the centres.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The other features of GAATS+ will help to further improve the safety and efficiency of transatlantic air routes and position the two organisations for future initiatives, including System Wide Information Management (SWIM), for better sharing and integration of air traffic management (ATM) system information.

NATS managing director-operations Martin Rolfe said: "The use of GAATS+ at the NATS Control Centre in Prestwick will greatly enhance the oceanic operation and increase efficiencies for us, as well as for our airline customers.

"This is a hugely important development, not only for the immediate benefits it will deliver, but also for future technologies that the system will enable. It is a further step towards a more harmonised operational and technical approach between all of the countries that manage aircraft over the North Atlantic."

Apart from increased data exchange, the technology will also enable the integration of safety net tools such as conflict prediction and conflict alert.

NAV CANADA president and CEO John Crichton said: "Both our customers and our controllers will benefit from increased functionality and greater commonality at both oceanic centres.

"This includes the seamless integration of ground-based ADS-B surveillance features in GAATS+, which will serve as the basis for the satellite-based ADS-B services offered by Aireon in 2018."