NATS operates a safe system and will do so in the future. Safety is of paramount importance to us. A safe system could be achieved with increased system capacity if NATS was staffed to its full complement and ran at full efficiency. Given that this doesn't happen, a safe system is only achieved by reducing capacity. NATS Management and resourcing are key.
NATS has achieved a safe system by cutting back on the available capacity, which is causing delays for airlines. Air Traffic Control accounts for some 34% of our total delayed and cancelled flights. If the current proposed EC legislation on compensation for passengers in cases of delayed and cancelled flights were to go ahead, we would be faced with significant compensation payments as a result of NATS delays (related to NATS own logistical issues), but would be unable to counter claim on NATS as they are exempt from making payments of this sort. There is no incentive for this incredibly important function to put its house in order. in the meantime, airlines such as ourselves, struggling in a competitive market, will have to bear the consequences of EU legislative change on delays with no means of passing that on as appropriate to the body responsible for 34% of our delays.
Safety remains the most important thing to both our organisations. We do not feel it appropriate for it to be used as cover for NATS performance failures.