Investment in air traffic control is essential to maintain the UK’s safety record

The Civil Aviation Authority has approved an increase in charges for air traffic control services in the UK.

The increase in charges amounts to approximately 75p per passenger and over ten years will make up for revenue lost during the pandemic. The money will also improve investment and build resilience in the system.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, responding to the announcement that airlines are going to face higher charges for air traffic control, said:

“The increases we are seeing today amount to an average of 75p per passenger per flight. They are necessary to cover the cost, over ten years, of keeping our airspace open during the pandemic when NATS had little income as there were few flights.

“The CAA have been right to resist pressure from airlines to lower costs even further. This would have led to less investment, fewer air traffic controllers and a less resilient system with more delays for passengers.

“The UK has some of the most congested and complex airspace in the world yet one of the best safety records – investment is essential to maintaining that.”