CAA Probes Unusual Factors in UK Air Traffic Problem

The company offered another apology for the inconvenience caused to passengers, airlines, and airports.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acknowledged that safety was not compromised. However, they will now conduct a broader review of the issues surrounding the system failure and evaluate how Nats responded to the situation.

The regulator cautioned that if there is any evidence suggesting that Nats may have violated its licensing obligations, appropriate actions would be taken.

Airlines have called for changes to compensation and passenger rights rules following the incident. This event may have cost them up to £100 million in customer care expenses and lost revenue, as estimated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global airline advocacy group.

Rob Bishton, who is currently serving as the acting CAA chief executive, expressed:

“Every year, millions of passengers depend on smooth and safe air traffic control operations. The initial report provided by Nats has brought up several crucial questions, and as the regulator, we are committed to ensuring that these questions are addressed for the benefit of passengers and the industry.

If there is any indication that Nats might have violated its legal and licensing responsibilities, we will assess whether additional measures need to be taken.”