The chief executive of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is facing renewed calls to resign after two separate air‑traffic control breakdowns occurred within a month, the latest of which caused significant disruption at Prestwick Airport and other UK sites.
Heidi Alexander told the Times that she will meet Sir Warren East – former Rolls‑Royce chief executive and current chair of the NATS board – in the coming weeks, and that she has already had a “full and frank conversation” with NATS chief Mr. Rolfe, during which she voiced her anger at the situation.
Alexander described yesterday’s disruption as “bad enough” and said the impact at Prestwick was “obviously very concerning”. She added that further issues reported today “cause even greater concern” and urged the Transport Secretary to investigate the cause of the recurrence.
The NATS chief has overseen four high‑profile incidents during his tenure, including a major melt‑down on the August bank holiday in 2023 that left more than 700,000 passengers stranded as flights were grounded across the UK.
Political pressure is mounting for a formal inquiry, with Alexander indicating that the Transport Secretary will need to get to the bottom of why the service has faltered repeatedly under the current leadership.