A long time ago I seem to recall NATS was privatised on a not for profit basis.
During the Barron years the not for profit basis was dispensed with and now NATS makes handsome profits every year for the government and The Airline Group.
The Airline Group wants NATS to make a good profit.
The overwhelming majority of the airlines are not part of The Airline Group so they view the annual profits NATS makes in an entirely different light.
The Airlines want NATS to reduce their costs.
The question is how does NATS reduce its costs; do they cut staff and investment or do they cut the profits they make for the government and The Airline Group.