'Ageism' row raises fears on air safety

SAFETY fears have been raised after a tribunal ordered the air traffic control service Nats to scrap its "ageist" ban on recruiting trainees older than 35.

Nats justified the ban on safety grounds - saying research shows the performance of controllers declines with age.

But Peter Baker, 51, successfully challenged the policy after being rejected for a post because of his age. In a landmark judgment, a panel at Central London Employment Tribunal ruled the age limit was irrational and arbitrary, and amounted to discrimination.

Nats today said it is "disappointed" the tribunal rejected its safety claims, and is considering an appeal. A spokesman said: "We introduced this age limit after independent research showed the skills required... decline markedly after 45."

"Our interest is to provide a safe, effective air traffic control service."

Mr Baker's solicitor Virginia Allen, said: "The tribunal found there are already a number of stringent safety measures in place to assess the performance of air traffic controllers.

"The suggestion it would suddenly be unsafe to introduce a 51-year-old was not made by the evidence."