Air Traffic Controller Jobs in the UK: Who Employs ATCOs Beyond NATS
NATS is not the only employer of air traffic controllers in the UK. Here are the civil, military and airport-based routes into ATC, and what each selection process involves.
When people think of air traffic control in the UK they think of NATS, and for good reason. But NATS is not the only way into the profession. Several different employers train and hire controllers, each with its own recruitment route, and knowing your options widens your chances considerably.
NATS: The Main Civil Provider
NATS provides air traffic services for most major UK airports and all en-route airspace over the country. It runs the best-known trainee scheme, selecting candidates through the NATS Stage 1 aptitude tests and a later assessment and interview stage. It is the largest single intake, but also the most competitive. Our guide to how to become an air traffic controller in the UK walks through the full NATS pathway.
Airport-Based and Independent Providers
Not every airport uses NATS. A number of UK airports buy their air traffic services from independent providers, who recruit and train their own controllers. Providers of this kind run tower and approach services at regional airports across the country, and they advertise trainee and qualified roles directly. If NATS is oversubscribed, these employers are well worth tracking, and the aptitude requirements are broadly similar.
Military Air Traffic Control
The Royal Air Force and Royal Navy both employ air traffic controllers to manage military aerodromes and airspace. The route is different, since you join as a member of the armed forces and train through their own systems, but the core aptitudes assessed are very similar to civil selection: spatial awareness, fast and accurate information processing, and sound decision-making under pressure.
Highlands and Islands
Air traffic services in the north of Scotland are run separately from the main NATS operation, covering a network of regional airports. This is another distinct employer that recruits and trains controllers directly, often attractive to candidates who want to work outside the busiest southern airspace.
What They All Have in Common
How to Prepare Whichever Route You Take
Because the underlying aptitudes are so similar, practising the standard test types prepares you for almost any UK controller selection process. You can check your eligibility first in our guide to ATC requirements in the UK, try the free demo to see the test formats, and get unlimited timed practice across every area with full access.
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