Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS, oversees the UK’s air-traffic control network.
A technical fault in the UK's air traffic flight‑processing system has caused widespread delays and cancellations across 15 airports since Tuesday, affecting more than 330,000 passengers. NATS has said the system issue has been resolved; airlines are rebooking travellers while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has ordered an independent review and pressed NATS' chief to explain the failure.
The UK’s air-traffic system has faced a fourth major fault in three years, disrupting thousands of flights. The government orders an independent Civil Aviation Authority review; ministers say safety remains the priority while questions over resilience persist and airlines demand accountability.
The National Air Traffic Services fault has disrupted UK flights nationwide, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers with Heathrow, Gatwick and other hubs hit. Disruptions have stabilized but fresh scrutiny of Nats follows, as airlines weigh costs and passengers seek refunds.
The John Lewis Partnership has reported a pre-tax loss of £124m for the six months to August 1, widening from £88m the previous year, while Waitrose sales rise and department stores dip. The group cites a challenging trading environment, transformation costs, and higher national insurance as key factors, with caution on the second half ahead of peak Christmas trading.