Lancashire-based LARS secures landmark contract win with NATS for Hybrid Tower on the Isle of Man

LARS is proud to announce the award of one of its most significant contracts to date: the supply and installation of a state-of-the-art hybrid communications tower for NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services. The tower will be located at the summit of Snaefell, the Isle of Man’s only mountain, at 621 metres above sea level.

A Landmark Contract Win

This contract represents the largest single award in LARS’ history and underlines the company’s growing reputation as a trusted partner for complex communications infrastructure projects across the UK. The contract was awarded by NATS, which handles approximately 2.5 million flights and over 300 million passengers travelling in UK airspace each year, providing services to 15 UK airports and managing all upper airspace across the UK.

The new hybrid tower will enhance the capabilities of an aviation radio station that has served the Isle of Man since the 1940s, when it was first associated with the Training Flying Control Centre at Ramsey. The new installation will further strengthen NATS’ ability to deliver safe and reliable air traffic control services in and around the Isle of Man.

An Exceptional Logistical Challenge

The Snaefell summit presents one of the most demanding installation environments in the British Isles. Located in the middle of the Irish Sea, between mainland UK and Ireland, the summit is frequently subject to high winds, low cloud and mist. Standard vehicle access to the summit is severely limited, making conventional construction logistics impractical.

To meet this challenge, partially assembled tower sections will be transported via helicopter to the summit. This approach demands meticulous pre-fabrication, careful planning and precise coordination with aviation and weather authorities to ensure safe and efficient delivery of all tower components to site.

Work commenced in late April, with the completed hybrid tower expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2027. Detailed programme milestones will be confirmed following final design sign-off and the completion of all necessary regulatory and aviation authority approvals.

Despite its challenging terrain, Snaefell is a popular destination for visitors and walkers. The ascent to the summit typically takes around three hours on foot and is best undertaken between spring and autumn, when conditions are clearer and views across the island – and on particularly clear days, even beyond – can be fully appreciated. The summit is also accessible via an historic electric mountain railway from Laxey, offering a 30-minute journey to the top.

Commenting on the contract award, Julian Cooper, Business Development Manager at LARS said:

“This is a landmark achievement for our business and a testament to the expertise and dedication of our team. Delivering a hybrid tower in such a challenging environment requires precision engineering, careful planning and close collaboration with our partners. We are proud to support NATS in enhancing critical aviation infrastructure in this unique location.”

This contract further strengthens LARS’ position as a trusted provider of resilient communications solutions in critical and remote locations.

Image courtesy of Richard Gower (https://www.richardgower.com/)