NATS confirm financial consequence for delays - Transport Committee takes evidence from NATS and CAA

NATS confirms that there will be a financial consequence for the company from the delay caused by the technical problem at Swanwick on 12 December 2014.

Under the company's regulatory performance regime, customers will receive a rebate on charges in the future. 

"The amount is being calculated and will be notified to customers in due course."

On Tuesday the Transport Committee took evidence from NATS and the CAA over the delays and disruption to the UK airspace due to a technical error with the Air Traffic Management system in Swanwick.

Present at the hearing were Richard Deakin, CEO NATS, Andrew Haines, CEO, Civil Aviation Authority and Martin Rolfe, Managing Director Operations, NATS.

The Transport Select Committee heard an openning address from Richard Deakin, who apologised for the disruption that was caused to the public and NATS customers. He explained that at no point on Friday was the airspace closed. Flow was reduced and at no time was safety compromised. Out of 6,000 flights on the day 120 were cancelled and 500 flights incurred a 45 minute average delay affecting around 10,000 passengers mainly at Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick.


Transport Committee takes evidence from NATS (National Air Traffic Services) and CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) - Click on image to view video of the hearing.