After a major IT failure in the UK’s air traffic control system in August led to widespread flight delays, airlines are bristling at the news that the UK’s aviation regulator has hiked air traffic control charges. The fees, which are paid by airlines, are set to increase from £47 to £64 per flight until 2027, meaning an approximate increase of 43p per passenger.
Airlines UK, an industry body that represents companies including British Airways, Ryanair, and Virgin Atlantic, has condemned these increases as unjustifiable in light of the recent disruption. The organisation’s Chief Executive, Tim Alderslade, characterised the fee hike as an additional burden for passengers who have already suffered due to issues such as the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) IT failure in August.
Airlines UK has warned that passengers will ultimately bear the brunt of this raise, which will cost millions of pounds. Alderslade has called for a thorough independent review into Nats’ regulation to safeguard passengers and prevent airlines from continually carrying the financial burden for failures beyond their control.
The August IT failure affected around 2,000 flights across the UK, leaving passengers stranded. Some were forced to sleep in airports while others scrambled to rebook their flights. The incident led to significant costs for airlines, who had to provide accommodation and arrange additional flights for stranded customers. Some airlines, such as Ryanair, have advocated for Nats to shoulder these costs.
Despite Nats’ apology for the disruption and assurance of measures to prevent a recurrence of such system failure, an aviation industry source disclosed to the BBC that Nats has confirmed it will not reimburse airlines for the costs they incurred due to the August technical glitch. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the airline regulator, has granted Nats the right to increase its charges separate from its ongoing investigation into the system failure incident.
Jonathan Hinkles, Chief Executive of Scottish airline Loganair, decried the charges as “airway robbery”. Hinkles predicts that airlines will seek to avoid the higher fees by diverting flights to Irish airspace, even at the cost of extra fuel and emissions. He cautions that if airlines eschew UK airspace, Nats’ revenue could decrease, thereby placing greater financial burden on those airlines with no alternative routes.
Meanwhile, Mike Clancy, the general secretary of Prospect union, emphasised the necessity of investment given the UK’s congested and complex airspace and its excellent safety record. The CAA justified its decision, stating that it will enable Nats to cover operating costs and maintain safe operations.
Andrew Walker, chief economist at the CAA, stated that further regulatory steps might be considered depending on the outcome of the independent review into the IT failure. However, Tim Jeans, an aviation executive and ex-managing director at Monarch Airlines, criticised the decision, suggesting that the CAA has essentially accepted Nats’ argument for increased charges. He emphasised that, being a monopoly, Nats leaves airlines and the industry with no option but to bear these charges.
UK law affords passengers several rights in case of flight cancellations, including a choice of refund or alternative flight and the right to be booked on another airline if it reaches their destination significantly sooner. If either leg of a return ticket is cancelled, passengers have a right to a full refund.
