Quantcast

Ryanair urges NATS CEO Martin Rolfe to resign after Stansted delays

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
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

American Express has introduced a new benefit for its Business Gold Card holders, offering up to $150 in annual statement credits for U.S. purchases made with Squarespace.

Oct 25, 2025

Kawal Preet, Executive Vice President of Planning, Engineering, and Transformation at FedEx and former President of the Asia Pacific region, has been named to Fortune magazine’s “2025 Most Powerful Women in Business: Asia” list.

Oct 25, 2025

On October 22, Air France announced it will begin regular flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Las Vegas starting April 15.

Oct 25, 2025

Airbus has established itself as a leading commercial aircraft manufacturer, surpassing Boeing in the late 2010s to become the world's largest producer of airliners.

Oct 25, 2025

FedEx Express and UPS Airlines are two of the largest cargo carriers in the world, with both companies operating extensive fleets and moving significant volumes of freight globally.

Oct 25, 2025

The Dubai Airshow, the largest event of its kind in the region, is set to return in 2025 with more than 200 aircraft expected to be on display.

Oct 25, 2025