Hampshire-based NATS, the UK’s air traffic control provider, is managing the busy summer period, with numbers rising above the daily average of 7,000 as families head abroad during the school holidays. The busiest day so far this year was Friday, July 17, when 8,538 flights were handled, making it the busiest since 2019. READ MORE: Eastleigh MP calls for suspension of European border systemSteve Fox, director of operations control at NATS, said: "We have planned and prepared for this summer for months, and now our operations teams, right across the UK, are working even harder to ensure that we get everyone away on their holidays safely. "Our teams will continue to do everything we can behind the scenes so families can take off for their well-earned holidays." The crucial first wave of departures between 6am and 8am sets the pace for the day, with controllers focused on keeping schedules running smoothly.