Quantcast

Ryanair urges NATS CEO Martin Rolfe to resign after Stansted delays

LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Ryanair urges NATS CEO Martin Rolfe to resign after Stansted delays
Policy
Webp nats
Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS | Official Website

Ryanair has once again called for the resignation of Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, following delays at London Stansted Airport due to staffing shortages. The Dublin-based airline, known for its low-cost fares and outspoken approach, criticized the United Kingdom's leading air traffic control service provider after operational challenges led to significant flight delays on a busy travel day.

London Stansted, one of Ryanair's major bases, experienced widespread delays as a result of insufficient air traffic control staff. Ryanair took to social media to inform passengers that some flights could be delayed by up to two hours. The airline attributed these disruptions to NATS' inability to provide adequate staffing levels, particularly during a peak travel period with many families traveling for the half-term break.

In its statement, Ryanair demanded that Rolfe step down from his position. "It is completely unacceptable that passengers - many of whom are families heading away for the half-term break - are suffering unnecessary delays (up to 2hrs) due to NATS failure to provide adequate staff levels," the airline stated. It further accused Rolfe of being overpaid and incapable of managing the persistent staff shortages.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

This isn't the first time Ryanair has targeted Rolfe. In September 2024, Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's CEO, had previously called for his resignation following disruptions at Gatwick Airport in August. O'Leary remarked: “This is the latest in a long line of cock-ups by UK Nats... Airlines and passengers deserve better."

The calls for reform in air traffic control services extend beyond recent months. In December 2023, O'Leary also blamed Rolfe's management for widespread delays. Ryanair continues to push for improvements in staffing levels at air traffic control centers, highlighting the financial impact such delays have on their operations.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Taking place on July 19 and 20 in Portsmouth, Emirates Airline will be present at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix offering a variety of experiences.

Jul 17, 2025

Flight EK913 from Emirates Airlines arrived at Damascus International Airport, marking the airline's return to the Syrian capital.

Jul 17, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Jul 16, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of services to seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Yerevan—beginning in November 2025.

Jul 16, 2025

Airlines for America has emphasized the need for increased funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire more air traffic controllers, update infrastructure, and build on the One Big Beautiful Bill down payment.

Jul 16, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a complete closure of Aviation Boulevard between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard from July 14 at 9 a.m. to July 21 at 6 a.m. Shuttle access to the LAX/Metro Transit Center will remain...

Jul 16, 2025