IPMS, the air traffic controllers’ union, has commissioned an opinion poll to investigate the British public’s reaction to the government’s plans to privatise air traffic control. A representative sample of 1,000 adults aged over 15 from all over Britain were surveyed and responded with 76 per cent opposition to privatisation with 14 per cent in support; also 63 per cent believe that air safety standards would be damaged by the plan.

“These results show an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the government’s plans to privatise National Air Traffic Services,” said Paul Noon, IPMS general secretary.