The two companies that run ATC in Britain and Spain have launched a joint-venture company to develop a new air traffic management system for both countries. The new company, Sacta, will be owned jointly by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and Spanish counterpart Aena. Sacta ATC areas will be phased in starting with Canary Islands Center in 2007. It will later be introduced into the UK at Prestwick Center and then into Swanwick Center. “Our vision is for this joint venture to be at the heart of driving change in Europe and we are delighted to have reached this point,” said NATS CEO Paul Barron. “We will be able to showcase the latest Sacta system at our new Prestwick Center as we develop it as the platform for our two-center strategy.”