RYANAIR, the Irish airline, has issued a press release regarding UK NATS in which it states "The CAA proposals are 'anti-consumer', 'anti-competitive' and an 'endorsement of legalised theft' referring to a proposed increase of charges". Ryanair was the only major British based operator not to become a investor in NATS when it was partly privatised last year. Ryanair has submitted detailed proposals in which it outlines a means of securing financial stability for NATS over the next five years, while at the same time incentivising improvements in performance that it says is in the interest of consumers.