London's Mayor has issued an urgent plea to the government as the capital's airports face continued disruption following a major air traffic control system failure. The technical meltdown at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has sparked travel chaos that could impact holidaymakers for days to come.
System Failure Sparks Travel Mayhem
The crisis began when NATS experienced what they described as a 'technical issue' requiring immediate implementation of traffic flow restrictions. This forced airlines to dramatically reduce their schedules, leading to:
- Widespread flight cancellations across major London airports
- Significant delays affecting thousands of passengers
- Knock-on effects expected to continue throughout the week
- Potential impact on peak summer holiday travel
Mayor's Stern Warning to Ministers
Sadiq Khan has demanded immediate action from Transport Secretary Mark Harper, emphasising the critical need to support affected passengers and prevent future occurrences. The Mayor stressed that such disruptions are completely unacceptable and called for a thorough investigation into the root causes.
"This situation is causing immense frustration and financial hardship for travellers," Khan stated. "We need urgent answers and assurances that measures will be put in place to avoid a repeat of this chaos."
Passengers Face Ongoing Uncertainty
Despite NATS resolving the initial technical fault, the ripple effects continue to disrupt travel plans. Airlines are struggling to reposition aircraft and crew, meaning cancelled flights and extended delays persist.
Passengers are advised to:
- Check with their airline before travelling to the airport
- Review their rights to compensation and assistance
- Allow extra time for journeys and expect potential disruption
- Keep all receipts for unexpected expenses
The timing couldn't be worse for families returning from summer holidays, with many facing extended stays abroad or missed connections. The aviation industry now faces a mammoth task in clearing the backlog while maintaining safety standards.
