A consortium of airlines which holds a stake in UK air navigation service NATS has written to the country's government to urge it not to sell off its entire 49% shareholding.
UK chancellor George Osborne said in a budget statement last June that the Government's stake in the air traffic control service was among assets likely to be sold under new financing plans.
Airline Group, which holds a 42% stake in NATS, has written to UK transport minister Philip Hammond, requesting that the Government maintains at least a 25% stake in NATS.
Airline Group chairman Peter Read tells ATI that there is "a risk we would lose influence in Europe" over the planned Single European Sky programme if the Government sold off its entire stake in NATS.
"We much prefer that a meaningful shareholding is held by the Government," says Read. Airline Group wrote to Hammond in November but has yet to receive a response, he adds.
In addition to the stakes held by Airline Group and the Government, airports operator BAA holds a 4% stake and NATS employees hold the remaining 5%.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman says the Government will decide whether to sell all or part of its stake in NATS by the time of its next budget on 23 March.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
