Hypocrisy?
Band-aid to fix a systemic problem. The NATS monopoly has designed an airspace utilisation model that favours certain airlines and routes whilst at the same time imposes draconian financial penalties on others.
A flight from Bristol to Glasgow or Inverness is capped at FL260/280 whereas a flight from Exeter to Glasgow regularly achieves FL380/400 because it is not included in the capping.
A flight from Bristol to Belfast is capped at FL240 [just one example]. Should NATS pay compensation for the fuel cost difference to the airlines affected by level capping?
Rationale....level capping is necessary to enable a more efficient volume traffic flow by best use of ATC sector resources..HOWEVER..as NATS is the beneficiary and has designed the airspace utilisation system, then it is only right to suggest that NATS compensates any operator who incurs fuel cost penalties in the current economic climate [ perhaps by a rebate of route charges].