The UK union Prospect says it welcomes a report from the government’s transport select committee which highlights the financial crisis facing National Air Traffic Services following its part privatisation. The union is calling on the government, as the largest shareholder and instigator of the private public partnership, to face up to its responsibility and halve the debt NATS has been saddled with under the terms of the PPP.

David Luxton, the union’s aviation officer, said: “NATS’ debt level is crippling it both financially and organisationally, detracting from the primary focus of ensuring safe and reliable air travel.”

Prospect is also calling on the CAA’s economic regulator to allow NATS to raise its charges and give it the financial headroom needed to proceed with investment.