NATS Swanwick is a combined area control centre and terminal control centre operated by National Air Traffic Service (NATS) at Swanwick in Hampshire, England. [1] [2]
It started operations on 27 January 2002, and handles aircraft in the London flight information region (FIR), which covers most of England and Wales. The centre consists of three facilities: [1]
- The London Area Control Centre (LACC), which provides air traffic control services to aircraft operating in upper airspace over England and Wales within the London FIR. [3]
- The London Terminal Control Centre (LTCC), which controls aircraft flying below 24,500ft flying to and from London's aiports. [4]
- No. 78 Squadron of the RAF, which provides military air traffic control services and distress and diversion services to civilian aircraft. [5]
The Swanwick facility replaces that of the former site at West Drayton. [4]