Press release

EUROCONTROL MUAC selects GATE Aviation Training as new student air traffic controller training provider

12 May 2025

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Maastricht, the Netherlands; 12 May 2025: The EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) today announced the appointment of Denmark-based GATE Aviation Training as its new student air traffic controller (ATCO) training provider. The agreement will see GATE provide initial training to MUAC’s student ATCOs at its modern academy located near Copenhagen Airport for up to a seven-year period.

“We are delighted to partner with GATE Aviation Training to provide initial training to our new student ATCOs. With its proven track record in delivering customised training solutions for complex upper airspace environments, GATE is the ideal partner to support our commitment to operational excellence. This partnership will allow us to maintain a full complement of controllers into the future ensuring we are best placed to embrace the challenges that increasing traffic levels will bring in the years ahead.”

Peggy Devestel Director of the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC)

Over the course of the agreement, over 110 students are expected to participate in the training programme that has been designed to equip the next generation of MUAC ATCOs with the required skills, knowledge and technical capabilities.

“We are honoured to partner with MUAC to collaborate on ATC Ab-initio training. MUAC is widely recognised for its rigorous training standards, and through this partnership, MUAC will benefit from GATE’s innovative, dynamic and approach to delivering customised training solutions. I am particularly proud of the way MUAC and GATE have engaged with one another. In a short period of time, we have established an open and constructive dialogue, aligning expectations with mutual professionalism and respect. I am confident that this collaboration will foster new and impactful initiatives in the field of ATC training.”

Dirch Jans Chief Executive Officer GATE Aviation Training

Tailored to MUAC’s specific requirements, GATE’s initial training programme delivers a powerful combination of foundational excellence and advanced specialisation. The programme includes two key courses: a comprehensive Basic Training module, which provides the fundamental knowledge and skills related to the role of an air traffic controller, followed by an Area Control Surveillance (ACS) rating course, designed to develop the high-level competencies, performance skills and analytic skills required for MUAC’s complex upper airspace.

The first group of ATCO students from MUAC are scheduled to commence training at the GATE academy in July 2025. They will benefit from GATE’s state-of-the-art facilities including access to high-fidelity simulators, innovative training methodologies and 24/7 self-training opportunities as well as modern accommodation, psychological support and industry familiarisation visits.

Peggy Devestel, Director of the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) and Dirch Jans, Chief Executive Officer of GATE Aviation Training.

Note to editors

About MUAC
The EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) manages the upper airspace (from 24,500 to 66,000 feet) over Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and north-west Germany which is one of Europe’s busiest and most complex airspace areas.

It is a pioneer in the delivery of customer-focused, reliable and impartial air traffic management services.

It is the only cross-border, civil-military air navigation service provider in Europe and has played a pivotal role in integrating European airspace, building its services around traffic flows instead of national borders.

About GATE
Training military and civil Air Navigation Service Providers in over 20 countries around the globe, GATE Aviation Training (GATE) offers advanced, flexible, and customised training solutions at our academies or customer site. GATE’s services include a wide range of (EU) 2015/340 and ICAO compliant Air Traffic Control Training, Flight Information Services (FIS) Training and more.

Challenging and advancing existing training solutions, GATE was founded in 2017 based on a strong ambition to develop and deliver innovative ATC/ATS training solutions as first mover to meet future (modern) working requirements for the ATM training industry.

Based directly at Copenhagen Airport, GATE has a proven and well-established working experience which allow us to offer tailor-made configurations based on local, specific requirements.