It controls 20 percent of the world's natural gas reserves and operates the world's largest gas distribution network -- approximately 157, 000 kilometers of pipelines covering an area from Europe to the FarEast, according to its Web site.
This small area of the south east sees by far the largest concentration of air traffic, and the 18 minute window required by iFACTS is a luxury here, explained Nats General Manager Paul Haskins.
Continuing pressures on profit margins due to cheaper labour costs in the FarEast have been blamed for the loss of hundreds of jobs in the textiles industry in the area.
At least 10 Brazilian states were partially or totally affected with problems spread over a wide geographical area, from Recife in the north-east to Rio Grande do Sul in the far south.