NATS chief opposes sale of government stake

NATS Chief Executive, Richard Deakin, stated the UK Government's plan to sell its 49% stake in the company risks weakening the UK's voice in Europe, as policymakers work on a plan to streamline European air traffic management according to traffic flows rather than national borders (UK Airport News, 05-Jul-2010). Mr Deakin said much of the decision would be made "at a political level", meaning the government needed to keep a strong voice in its key air traffic body.