The world’s first privatisation of a national air traffic control system has been greeted with caution in the UK, as concerns remain over the commercial pressures on the new organisation and consequent effect on safety.

The recent announcement that the sale of National Air Traffic Services (NATS) to the Airline Group is complete has raised certain issues associated with privatisation:

The potential threat of a fragmented service; increased pressure on individual staff; pressures from airport operators to increase capacity; and a requirement from the economic regulator to achieve inappropriate targets.

Iain Findlay, aviation officer for the air traffic controllers’ union IPMS, said: “National Air Traffic Services is at a critical point in providing a safe and efficient air traffic control service.

“There still continues to be a dramatic growth in air movements, and we must be sure to guard against the staff and systems being overloaded.”