Michael O’Leary calls for air traffic control chief to resign

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has issued fresh calls for the resignation of the CE of ATC provider Nats. O’Leary urged Martin Rolfe to step down and “allow someone competent” to take over after flights were disrupted at Gatwick Airport on Sunday due to “Nats staff shortages”. The airline’s CE has repeatedly criticised Rolfe, particularly over the widespread disruption at UK airports during last year’s August Bank Holiday Monday, which was caused by a Nats technical failure. Gatwick flights have frequently been disrupted due to ATC staffing issues. Analysis of data from flight tracking website FlightRadar24 shows 49 departures and 51 arrivals were cancelled on Sunday between 3pm and midnight, affecting more than 16,000 passengers. Many other flights were delayed. Disruption continued on Monday morning due to planes being out of position. Ten flights were cancelled and others were delayed. O’Leary said: “UK Nats staff shortages caused multiple flight delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport yesterday, Sunday September 8. “This is the latest in a long line of cock-ups by UK Nats, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick. Airlines and passengers deserve better. Ryanair again calls on UK Nats CE Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to run an efficient UK ATC service, which airlines and passengers are entitled to expect. If he won’t go, then (new Transport Secretary) Louise Haigh should sack him.”<br/>