....why did NATS have to introduce the Solutions model if the real NATS model was efficient and cost effective?
Originally Posted by
Gonzo
...Because of pressures to reduce costs from airlines and thence from airport customers. Exactly the same as the above with airlines and NERL in RP2/RP3.
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And this shows exactly the point that there was scope to reduce costs over a dated and expensive model which was not competitive in modern day tenders. Salaries are cheaper, pensions are cheaper, expenses are cheaper, no NATSAGs to comply with, OT is cheaper etc. The old NATS model is fantastic, but very expensive in todays market, NATSAG01 being just one small example which NATS management have obviously been desperate to close that avenue. The next obvious step is pensions expense, how its done is anyones guess but I would bet its on the wish list of changes. The airlines have already been there in reducing T&Cs, ATC is only just beginning that particular journey hurried along now by the mess that the entire aviation sector finds itself in.