NATS announces Clarity, a new way for airports to balance sustainability and operational demands

Currently in development, Clarity will allow airports to analyse and compare the carbon impact of different aspects of their operation and to understand the relative effectiveness of any future sustainability initiatives or investments.

NATS believes the tool will help airports to best plan their route to net zero by providing detailed evidence of the value of a whole range of environmental initiatives.

Guy Adams, NATS Services Managing Director, said: “We know airports are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously, but we also understand that sometimes it’s hard to know which changes are going to reap the biggest gains. What Clarity will allow airports to do is identify the most effective changes, have evidence-based conversations and make informed investments for a more sustainable future.”

Clarity takes in a whole range of operational data and combines it with a state-of-the-art modelling capability to then visualise and quantify any carbon savings and costs. This will help airports to understand the cost per tonne of carbon saved and map out the most effective plan towards reducing emissions.

NATS says Clarity will be able to discern the relative benefits of a wide range of environmental initiatives, including the impact of new ground handling procedures, the installation of fixed-electrical ground power or the introduction of time-based spacing for arriving aircraft. It will also help airports understand the impact of any changes on operational efficiency.

Guy Adams added: “Resources are never infinite, so we want Clarity to support airports in making evidence-based decisions, ensuring their environmental priorities are balanced against the realities of maintaining day-to-day operational efficiency.”

Clarity will be able to model emissions for both ground and airborne operations up to 3000ft, taking into account aircraft engine emissions broken down by phase, as well as APU usage and the impact of non-CO2 emissions. It will present that alongside a financial calculator, showing potential savings from reduced fuel burn, the cost of carbon and any known local tax incentives.

Guy Adams concluded: “NATS has a long track record of working with airports to enhance runway capacity. We’re now applying that same expertise to sustainability, and I believe we are well placed to support airports in making these important choices.”