"Planes in and out of Southampton Airport have been disrupted because of air traffic controller illness."
A problem that has been building over the past few years, airport operator puts pressure on NATS to reduce contract costs, with the hint of finding someone cheaper if they don't.
One of the few ways that this can be done to have any significant cost impact is to reduce staffing. NATS only option is to cut back number of ATCOs thereby reducing contingency for staff sickness cover, ATCOs go sick, NATS have to withdraw service to accommodate their legally required 30 minute breaks.
Who's fault is it?