Six years of Space-Based ADS-B: Transforming North Atlantic airspace

An independent review has confirmed the significant safety, efficiency, and environmental benefits delivered by Space-Based ADS-B since its introduction into North Atlantic airspace six years ago. 

The assessment, carried out by Steer - a global consultancy with expertise in aviation and cost-benefit analysis - and commissioned as part of NATS’ regulatory requirements, validates the transformative impact of the technology in modernising oceanic air traffic management, finding that for every £1 spent, the system delivers roughly £2 in value to airlines. 

On 27 March 2019, NATS and NAV CANADA became the first air traffic management providers to implement Aireon’s Space Based ADS-B service. This revolutionary technology replaced traditional position reporting with real-time satellite surveillance, allowing controllers to monitor aircraft with unprecedented accuracy and to deliver significant safety and efficiency benefits.

The independent review, comparing data from 2023 to the pre-Space Based ADS-B baseline in 2018, confirms that the Aireon service has significantly improved situational awareness and operational performance across the North Atlantic:

• Enhanced safety performance: access to real-time surveillance has enabled reduced separation between aircraft while ensuring and strengthening collision prevention measures across oceanic airspace, unlocking additional capacity for aircraft to fly optimal trajectories and preferred speeds.
• Improved tracking and emergency response: controllers now have precise real-time locations of aircraft, leading to faster response times in emergency situations.
• Better predictability and scheduling: airlines have benefited from more consistent and predictable flight times, improving the passenger experience and operational planning.

The review also highlights that aircraft now receive their requested trajectories and oceanic entry point more often, with the resulting reduction in fuel burn contributing to a cut in carbon emissions across North Atlantic airspace:

• 45,000 tonnes of CO₂ saved annually: in 2023 alone, excess emissions were cut significantly compared to 2018, with equivalent achievements expected in future years, further supporting aviation’s commitment to sustainability.
• £19 million annual fuel burn savings: airlines have seen notable savings in fuel burn-related costs

Jacob Young, Head of Oceanic Service at NATS, emphasised the importance of the findings: “This review confirms what we have seen firsthand over the past six years – Aireon’s Space Based ADS-B service has been a game-changer for air traffic management over the North Atlantic. It has delivered measurable benefits for safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Our controllers now have enhanced decision-making tools, allowing us to provide a more predictable and responsive service to airlines, with more improvement planned for the future.”

With the positive findings from the independent review, NATS is exploring further opportunities to enhance oceanic airspace management using performance metrics identified in the assessment to maximise the benefits of the technology.