NATS report – entirely correct that safety overrides punctuality as the utmost priority

Prospect union has responded to the publication of the interim report into the recent tech failure at NATS.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is to launch an independent review into the technical issue faced on Monday 28 August.

The preliminary report found the incident occurred due to an anomaly that forced the system to stop processing flight plans. The system was closed to maintain safety and required manual operation to continue service.

Prospect represents thousands of air traffic controllers, systems specialists and others at NATS.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“The principal function of air traffic control is to facilitate the safe operation of flights in and out of UK airspace.

“Prospect members at NATS and at airports provide some of the world’s most effective and professional air traffic control services in extremely busy airspace – their dedication and diligence keeps us safe every time we fly.

“No system is perfect however and additional investment would be preferable to dividend payments, which might help to improve punctuality and reduce cancellations. But while delays are frustrating, it is entirely correct that safety overrides punctuality as the utmost priority on the rare occasions these come into conflict.”