BUSINESS NEWS


South Terminal, Gatwick: the Nats system failure was separate from the continuing ATC issues at the Sussex airport


CAA orders review of ATC shutdown in August


Pressure from airlines believed to have influenced decision. Ian Taylor reports


The announcement last week of an independent review of the August bank holiday shutdown of UK air traffic control marked a shift as the CAA had been due to report on the meltdown by the end of September. The CAA move to set up an


independent review chaired by Jeff Halliwell, former chair of slot coordinator Airport Coordination, suggests the pressure from airlines – not least Iata head Willie Walsh and Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary – had an impact. Halliwell will appoint two other


panellists and then consider “whether 64 12 OCTOBER 2023


Nats policies and protocols were adequately designed”, whether it “has appropriate resilience arrangements”, “how well Nats performs against its peers” and “lessons that should inform the framework for setting Nats performance targets and level of financial consequences”. The review will also consider


the impacts “in relation to delays and cancellations” and how airlines and airports “met their passenger rights obligations”, including “communication with affected passengers, timeliness of rerouteing


and rebooking, costs passengers were expected to pay and reclaim, and management of vulnerable passengers”, plus how the costs of care, assistance and rerouteing are allocated. An initial report, “including


proposed next steps”, is promised in January 2024. The review will not form part of


the CAA’s price control review of Nats, but the terms of reference note: “If the recommendations indicate


Continued on page 62 travelweekly.co.uk


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PICTURE: Shutterstock/Andy Soloman


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