NATS records lowest ever March delays

NATS handled 166,159 flights in March, an increase of 0.6% when compared to the same period last year.

Delays attributable to NATS totalled just 329 minutes last month, making 2014 the lowest March total ever and the second lowest month of delay to be recorded since records began in the 1990’s.

Ten out of the fifteen airports where NATS operates air traffic control saw a rise in instrument flight rules (IFR) traffic when compared to March last year.

Aberdeen and Cardiff both saw growth of 13.2%, with Gatwick rising by 7.5% and London City following suit with a rise of 7.4%.

Market segments that saw growth during March, include Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures and Transatlantic Overflights with a rise of 4.4% each. The domestic market segment saw a decline of 2.1%.

Martin Rolfe, Managing Director Operations, NATS, said: “March saw us successfully handle another month of increased levels of air traffic. Alongside this we delivered record levels of low delay and handled growth in IFR traffic at the majority of the fifteen airports where we operate, which is brilliant news for our airport and airline customers, and for passengers.”