A budget airline boss has called on an air traffic control chief to resign after multiple flights from Gatwick Airport were cancelled at short notice.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary urged Martin Rolfe, the head of Gatwick air traffic control provider Nats, to step down and “allow someone competent” to take over after flights were disrupted on Sunday evening.

The disruption was put down to “staff shortages”.

Mr O’Leary has repeatedly criticised Mr Rolfe, particularly over the widespread disruption at Gatwick during last year’s August Bank Holiday Monday, which was caused by a Nats technical failure.

Gatwick flights have frequently been disrupted due to air traffic control staffing issues.

Nats previously said it was “working in line” with a staffing plan agreed with Gatwick bosses when it took over the provision of air traffic control services at the airport in October 2022, which includes training further controllers.

Mr O’Leary said: “UK Nats staff shortages caused multiple flight delays and cancellations at Gatwick Airport yesterday, Sunday September 8.

“This is the latest in a long line of cock-ups by UK Nats, which has yet again disrupted multiple flights and thousands of passengers at Gatwick. Airlines and passengers deserve better.

“Ryanair again calls on UK Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe to step down and allow someone competent to run an efficient UK air traffic control service, which airlines and passengers are entitled to expect.

“If he won’t go, then Louise Haigh [the new Transport Secretary] should sack him.”

Nats and Gatwick have been approached for a comment.

Gatwick Airport is currently in the process of applying to open a second runway by converting a currently unused taxiway for regular use.

If its request is approved, the runway could be used regularly by the end of the decade.

Bosses at Gatwick said last month that it was experiencing one of its busiest summers ever with nearly 20 million passengers jetting off in the first six months of the year.

The airport has recently launched new services to Singapore and Bangalore.