easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) has echoed calls from Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) for the chief executive of the UK’s air traffic controller to resign following repeated disruptions in recent years.
Chief executive John Lundgren wrote to National Air Traffic Services (Nats) this week to call for Martin Rolfe’s resignation after staff shortages hit Gatwick flights most recently.
At least 100 flights were cancelled last weekend as a result of the Nats shortages, including dozens operated by easyJet.
easyJet had been forced to cut its schedule from Gatwick in the summer of 2023 too due to air traffic staffing issues, with a fault in its system also affecting thousands of flights across the country over last year’s August bank holiday.
Lundgren argued Rolfe had been downplaying Nats’ problems in the letter, which was cited by the Financial Times, however, and accused him of giving “misleading information”.
“I am deeply concerned by the ongoing failure of the chief executive [Rolfe] to recognise the scale of the problem and to communicate honestly about it,” Lundgren said.
This follows calls from Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary for Rolfe to quit over the repeated issues, which he dubbed a “long line of cock-ups” earlier this week.
Nats chair Warren East has subsequently backed Rolfe openly, noting his team had “done everything they can to address the issues”.