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easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has joined Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) in demanding the resignation of Martin Rolfe, the chief executive of the UK's National Air Traffic Services (Nats), amid ongoing disruptions in air traffic control services.
John Lundgren, easyJet's chief executive, recently addressed a letter to Nats, urging Rolfe to step down. This call for resignation comes in response to persistent issues, including a recent episode where staff shortages at Nats led to the cancellation of at least 100 flights over a single weekend. The disruptions notably impacted flights operated by easyJet at Gatwick Airport.
The airline faced similar issues last summer, when air traffic staffing problems at Gatwick forced easyJet to reduce its flight schedule. Additionally, a system fault affecting Nats had caused widespread flight disruptions across the UK during the August bank holiday last year.
Lundgren's letter, reported by the Financial Times, expressed frustration with Rolfe's handling of the situation. Lundgren accused Rolfe of downplaying the severity of Nats' operational challenges and providing "misleading information" about the scope of the problems. He emphasized deep concern over Rolfe's apparent failure to acknowledge the full extent of the issues and his lack of transparency in addressing them.
The call for Rolfe's resignation follows similar demands from Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, who described the ongoing disruptions as part of a “long line of cock-ups.” O’Leary's criticism highlights the frustration among airlines over the repeated and severe disruptions caused by Nats' operational failures.
In response to these calls, Warren East, the chair of Nats, has publicly supported Rolfe. East stated that the Nats team has made every effort to resolve the issues, defending Rolfe's leadership amid the mounting criticism. Despite the backing from Nats' chair, the ongoing disruptions and management criticisms underscore significant challenges facing the UK's air traffic control system and its impact on major airlines.
