Hidden Agenda?
Interesting silence from the CAA. We know from evidence that NATS would like to airbrush the Regulator out of the picture. A monopoly area service provider is not healthy; and without competition there is no pressure to trim over 1000 non-productive jobs.
One way to cut costs would be to halve navigation charges and negate the need to flight-plan economical cost routes out of UK airspace at the expense of higher overall fuelburn.
If the concern over global warming and CO2 is genuine, may I suggest cancelling "Delayfest 2008" [RIAT Fairford] which should save a billion or so litres; disband the Red Sparrows to stop them pumping coloured diesel fumes all over the beautiful Shires. The hundreds of volunteer NATS staff that make RIAT possible could donate their time to reduce summer delays.
A note of caution to all airlline operators.......consider your fleet replacement programmes with care......"Nigel" alluded that the speed value may have been chosen with Airbus in mind......I wonder if that will affect potential Dreamliner sales? Not much point buying a sports car if you have to trail in behind a line of milk floats.