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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rosie Shead

Transport secretary to meet Nats chair amid calls for air traffic boss to quit

  • Calls are mounting for National Air Traffic Services (Nats) chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign following a second major travel disruption within two weeks.
  • Transport secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her anger directly to Mr Rolfe and confirmed plans to meet Nats chairman Sir Warren East.
  • The latest connectivity fault at the Prestwick facility forced more than 170 flight cancellations, following an 8 September software defect that affected over 2,000 flights.
  • Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary forcefully demanded Mr Rolfe's dismissal, highlighting four high-profile system failures during his tenure.
  • Nats has apologised for the incidents, while the government, which holds a 49 per cent stake in the public-private company, is investigating the recurring issues.

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