Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) will implement the world's first time-based separation arrivals management tool at Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah airports.
The deployment follows an agreement between SANS and NATS, in collaboration with technology providers Leidos and Indra. The system will make Saudi Arabia the first Middle Eastern country to adopt this technology.
Intelligent Approach uses dynamically calculated time-based spacing to increase runway capacity, reduce delays and minimize carbon emissions. The system works by calculating optimal time intervals between arrivals based on live wind conditions and aircraft type, displaying the gap as a separation and spacing indicator to controllers on radar screens.
The implementation supports Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million, develop two global long-haul connecting hub airports and increase air cargo volume to 4.5 million tonnes.
"The implementation of the Intelligent Approach system across Saudi airports will directly increase capacity and elevate operational efficiency, while also playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability," said Abdulaziz Al-Zaid, CEO of SANS.
NATS and Leidos jointly developed the system for Heathrow Airport a decade ago. Since deployment, it has reduced headwind-related delays by more than 60% and cut airborne holding by 230,000 minutes per year, saving over 45,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
"Intelligent Approach is the world's leading operational time-based separation tool and is delivering significant benefits in every operation where it's being used," said Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS. "This milestone deployment is the first of its kind in the Middle East."
The system proves particularly effective during strong headwinds when separating aircraft by traditional fixed distances results in falling landing rates and knock-on delays. By improving spacing consistency between arrivals in all conditions, it enhances operational resilience and on-time performance.
Graham Emmons, vice president and managing director civil UK at Leidos, said: "With a proven track record of enhancing operational performance, Intelligent Approach will support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 Strategy by increasing capacity at key airports, improving the passenger experience, and helping to meet environmental targets."
SANS will be the first user to deploy Intelligent Approach as a seamless upgrade to Indra's ManagAir ATM system. In 2024, NATS, Leidos and Indra agreed to make the system available to ManagAir users.
Enrique Castillo, ATM business development director at Indra, said: "This collaboration allows us to offer solutions that increase capacity, reduce delays, and minimize emissions in Saudi Arabia."
The system has previously been deployed at Toronto Pearson and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. London Gatwick became the first single-runway airport to implement the technology in March 2025.