Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, has called for the dismissal of the head of the 海角视频's air traffic control service following what he describes as the latest in a "long line of cock ups," Thousands of passengers have experienced flight cancellations at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports due to adverse weather conditions and staff shortages at the National Air Traffic Service (NATs).
"This is the latest in a long line of cock ups by 海角视频 NATS, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick," said O'Leary, who has repeatedly demanded the resignation of NATs boss Martin Rolfe over the past year, as reported by .
"Airlines and passengers deserve better. Ryanair again calls on 海角视频 NATS chief Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to run an efficient 海角视频 ATC service, which airlines and passengers are entitled to expect."
"If he won't go, then new Transport Minister, Louise Haigh, should sack him," stated the Ryanair chief.
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The disruption has affected several major carriers including British Airways, Wizz Air and Easyjet, Gatwick's primary airline. This follows ongoing criticism of NATs, the public-private partnership that manages 海角视频 airspace, particularly after an unprecedented IT failure last August caused significant disruption.
The incident led to regulatory scrutiny and prompted airlines to question whether the organisation was "fit for purpose."
The £1.3m salary of NATs boss Martin Rolfe in 2023 has sparked further backlash amid harsh criticism of the organisation's leadership.
Despite the recent disruption, shares in London-listed Easyjet and Wizz Air had risen by 1.27% and 3.27% respectively by mid-morning on Monday, leaving analysts puzzled.
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"Perhaps the market hasn't cottoned on to the likely setback to earnings," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.
"Airlines across the board are extremely frustrated by the constant disruption to service. Hundreds of thousands of travellers are being affected each year and the airline industry is suffering both reputational and financial damage."