Government to retain stake in air traffic company NATS Germany's state-owned air traffic service, Deutsche Flugsicherung, had declared an interest in the 49pc holding, sparking concern from opposition politicians. However, a group of seven airlines, including British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic, is pressing ahead with proposals to offload its 42pc holding in NATS. Peter Read, chairman of the Airline Group, said the organisation was "moving down the path" towards a sale. NATS was part-privatised in 2001, with staff taking the remaining 5pc holding. Maria Eagle, shadow transport secretary, said: "This sell-off was always purely ideological and would have delivered no benefits to the aviation industry, passengers or the taxpayer. It was always clear that this sale risked a foreign government securing a controlling stake in Britain's airspace and it's no surprise that other countries were known to be standing ready to snap up this British success story. Transport Secretary Justine Greening said it was in the "best interests" of the taxpayer for the Government to retain its shares in NATS "at this time."