In doing so, they will continue to co-operate closely with their other Northern European ANS Providers (NEAP) Partners and consider the potential for the establishment of a combined NEAP FAB in due course.

Both FABs – the only two to be formally established so far – have already made significant progress. LFV and Naviair have together formed an operating company, NUAC, and have set up a common ATCO training college, Entry Point North. Achievements under the Ireland/UK FAB include the creation of a route-free block of upper air space, night time fuel saving routes and the introduction of North Atlantic continuous descent approaches for Manchester arrivals, collectively saving over 142,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum. The potential to drive further efficiencies and cost savings through the integration of these two existing FABs will also be considered as part of this initiative.

This agreement represents the natural next step to build on these successes; working together across a wider area and tackling new ways to improve performance, not between the FABs, but across them.

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Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of IAA, said: “The aviation industry demand for enhanced ATM performance and lower costs requires proactivity and forward thinking in all respects and this co-operation agreement provides for this.”

Richard Deakin, Chief Executive Officer of NATS, said: “This MoU is a progressive step which opens up the possibility of a closer alliance between us all. I am very keen to work together on this great opportunity to extend the benefits of our FABs, pushing forward performance in European Airspace.”

Thomas Allard, Director General of LFV, said: “The airspace covered by the two FABs, as well as the number of flights within it, is so large, that our co-operation will lead to extensive benefits for our customers in the airline business. And the long-sighted perspective of establishing the even larger NEAP FAB is, by this agreement, a step closer to realisation.”

Morten Dambaek, Chief Executive Officer of Naviair, said: ”This agreement keeps focus on the value of expanding integration of FABs and the enhanced benefits for the prerequisite of safety, the need to achieve highly efficient airspace and a flexible performance for the lowest cost. At the same time it is very positive that we together maintain a high momentum in the process of implementing the Single European Sky programme.”

For more information contact:

Mr. Bo Pedersen
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
D: +45 3247 7907

Notes for editors:
NATS
• NATS handled 2.1 million flights in the 2010 calendar year, covering the UK and eastern North Atlantic, and carried more than 200 million passengers safely through some of the busiest and most complex airspace in the world.
• NATS provides air traffic control from its centres at Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire.
• NATS also provides air traffic control services at 15 of the nation's major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with air traffic services at Gibraltar Airport.

IAA
• The IAA is a commercial semi-State company responsible for the provision of air traffic management and related services and is the safety regulator for the Irish civil aviation industry.
• The IAA receives no funding from the exchequer. Its revenues are generated through charges and fees raised from its airline customers and regulatory clients.

LFV
• LFV handled 0.7 million flights carrying 50 million passengers in the 2010 calendar year in Swedish airspace.
• LFV provides air traffic control from its control centre in Stockholm and Malmö.
• LFV also provides air traffic control services at 37 airports including Stockholm Arlanda, Gothenburg Landvetter, Malmö Sturup and several military airports .
• LFV is a state-owned enterprise.

Naviair
• Naviair handled 0.6 million flights carrying 45 million passengers in the 2010 calender year in Danish airspace.
• Naviair provides air traffic control from its control centre in Copenhagen.
• Naviair also provides air traffic control services at six airports including Copenhagen and Billund.
• Furthermore Naviair provides flight information and SAR in Greenland and aerodrome flight information service in Vágar airport on the Faroe Islands.