Aviation and Airlines (Commonwealth Union) _ Heathrow Airport has reached an agreement to construct a new contingency control tower, with NATS being contracted to oversee the installation and transition of the new operations room. The development of the Virtual Contingency Facility (VCF) has already begun and is expected to be operational by 2025. This project represents a significant investment by Heathrow, as it aims to enhance the airport’s resilience and protect the nation’s aviation infrastructure.
The original VCF, established in 2009 at an undisclosed location off the airport premises, was a pioneering initiative worldwide. It served as a windowless replica of the main control tower, enabling the airport to operate at approximately 70% capacity if necessary. The new state-of-the-art facility will be situated at the airport itself and initially match the operational capacity of its predecessor. However, NATS and Heathrow are collaborating to expand the VCF’s capabilities further in a second phase of the project, with the goal of enabling it to operate at 100% capacity.
To ensure seamless operations, ultra-high-definition cameras will provide live images to controllers, enabling them to work as usual and maintain full airport functionality. Kelly Stone, Heathrow’s head of airport operations, emphasized the importance of operational resilience in responding to disruptions, stating that investing in a cutting-edge Virtual Contingency Facility with NATS provides confidence that passenger journeys can proceed even during unexpected events.
While the original VCF has never been utilized in an actual incident, the NATS control tower team regularly conducts exercises to simulate the shutdown of the main tower and the transfer to the contingency facility. The aim is to be able to transition within a few hours if required. Pete Glass, NATS’ general manager for air traffic services at Heathrow, highlighted the critical role of air traffic control in ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of the airport. With Heathrow’s global significance in aviation, it is essential to maintain a high level of operational resilience. The anticipated second phase of the VCF project presents an opportunity to incorporate the latest technologies and uphold Heathrow’s industry-leading status in operational resilience, following the successful implementation of the original Virtual Contingency Facility 14 years ago.
