Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast Keeping the skies safe – and open
Nov 20, 2025
Martin Rolfe, the Chief Executive of NATS, shares insights on air traffic control's vital role in aviation safety. He discusses the recent technical incident on August 28, emphasizing that such failures are an inevitability in this complex industry. Rolfe reflects on his decade at NATS, the impact of COVID-19, and modernization efforts. He also highlights the importance of resilience, improved communication, and swift incident resolution, reassuring listeners about NATS’ strong safety record amidst challenges.
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How NATS Operates And Is Funded
- NATS operates UK en-route airspace above ~20,000ft and many major airport towers, funded by airlines not government.
- The company exports expertise worldwide and focuses first on safety, then efficiency.
Three Phases Of His Tenure
- Martin Rolfe describes three career phases: growth, COVID survival, and rebuilding with modernisation plans.
- He says the job remains exciting despite moments of heavy national exposure when things go wrong.
Memory Of The Bank Holiday Failure
- Martin recalls the 28 August 2023 failure and stresses their priority was keeping everyone safe.
- He notes technical failures force capacity reductions and instantly become national news.