Graffica flies high supporting air and rail transport management

Graffica was founded in 2000 to develop software to support the air traffic management industry. The Malvern company’s most important customer is EUROCONTROL, the pan-European civil-military organisation responsible for air navigation services and safety across Europe.

Other customers have included NATS (formerly known as National Air Traffic Services, the UK’s main air traffic services company). Graffica also supports simulations for major airports across Europe, including London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Milan Malpensa.

There is significant opportunity for this business to scale up. Although operating in a relatively niche sector, according to co-founder Mike Vere, if present air transport trends continue, the International Air Transport Association predicts that by 2037, passenger numbers could double to 8.2 billion.

“Our main objective is to help the transport industry develop, apply and integrate new software systems to help them use their resources better,” he said. “Early in our work with EUROCONTROL, we developed operational and simulation tools and software for them to carry out their own research and development, and to improve and monitor Europe’s airspace.”

Graffica has begun diversifying into the rail sector, which has its own unique challenges that could be helped by Graffica’s software systems, says Mike.

The company, which turns over more than £2 million, has increased its headcount and now employs 35 people.

“In our industry we must invest in our own research and development to produce the software tools to support our customers. but the reward gives us the impetus to grow to the next level,” said Mike.