A “technical issue” affecting UK air traffic control systems has led to extensive flight delays and cancellations, leaving numerous air passengers, both within the UK and abroad, stranded. National Air Traffic Services (Nats) implemented traffic flow reductions in response to the problem, causing holidaymakers to face disruptions across various locations.
Despite the issue being resolved later, airlines and airports cautioned that significant delays persisted. Passengers experienced frustration as flights were delayed or canceled, prompting concerns about the timing of their returns.
The fault was acknowledged by Nats shortly after midday on Monday, followed by an announcement at 15:15 BST that the issue impacting UK airspace had been identified and addressed.
Several airports, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and TUI, along with others, informed travelers of delays and cancellations. British Airways, in particular, expressed apologies for the substantial inconveniences caused by the air traffic control issue. The airline advised short-haul travelers to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport. It also offered the possibility for affected customers to reschedule their flights without incurring additional charges.
The situation affected a considerable number of flights, with departing and arriving flights both experiencing cancellations and delays. In response, travel journalist Simon Calder emphasized the significance of the timing, highlighting that Bank Holiday Monday is typically a day of high travel volume.
As airports and airlines grappled with the situation, Nats described the issue as a “flight planning issue” that hindered the automated processing of flight plans. This resulted in a manual processing requirement, which in turn limited the system’s capacity to handle flights, necessitating the implementation of traffic flow restrictions.
Aviation experts pointed out the rarity of such technical faults and their implications. In the past, the occurrence of such issues has prompted investigations into their causes.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper advised passengers to stay updated on their flight information by contacting their airlines and referred them to the UK Civil Aviation Authority guidance on their rights in case of flight delays or cancellations.
