Chaos Unfolds at UK Airports Due to Air Traffic Glitch
Thousands of passengers faced significant UK flight disruption today, either stranded at airports or unable to reach them, after a technical malfunction at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) center led to widespread delays and cancellations across the country.
A “technical issue” at the NATS facility in southern England forced airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, and Edinburgh to temporarily suspend flights.
Delay Resolved Quickly, But Hours of Disruption Follow
Although NATS reported the problem was resolved within 20 minutes, the impact lasted for hours. Throughout the afternoon and evening, passengers shared their frustration and confusion as flight schedules remained in disarray.
Just hours before a family celebration in Norway, 35-year-old John Carr’s journey took a turn—his flight was suddenly cancelled. “There was no warning from the airport or the airline,” he said, describing the experience as “rubbish.”
Mixed Emotions Among Passengers
While some expressed their annoyance, others maintained optimism. David and his family, en route from Crete to Birmingham, had their EasyJet flight diverted to Paris. “Everyone was in good spirits,” he noted, despite the unexpected detour.
NATS issued an apology to affected travelers, adding that it was collaborating closely with airlines to reduce the backlog. The organization confirmed to the BBC that the issue stemmed from a radar problem and ruled out any cyber-related concerns.
Dozens of Flights Cancelled, More Delays Expected
Aviation analytics company Cirium disclosed that a total of 122 flights—67 scheduled to depart and 55 expected to arrive—were cancelled across multiple UK airports due to operational disruptions. The UK flight disruption has created a ripple effect across schedules, and further delays could continue into the night.
Live updates are now paused, but airport operations are still being monitored. For more information, you can check out:
- News Coverage of the Air Traffic Glitch
- Your Rights When Flights Are Cancelled or Delayed