A significant network failure at Eurocontrol, Europe's air traffic management body, has plunged UK air travel into chaos, causing severe disruptions for major carriers including Wizz Air, British Airways, and Jet2.
The technical issue, which began on Tuesday afternoon, affected the Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System (ETFMS) – a critical tool for managing and calculating flight delays across the continent. This system is vital for coordinating the massive volume of European air traffic.
Major Airlines Impacted
The failure had an immediate knock-on effect for British travellers. Wizz Air confirmed substantial disruptions across its network, advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Similarly, British Airways and Jet2 reported experiencing significant delays as a direct result of the technical meltdown.
While Ryanair appeared less affected, the wider network failure created a ripple effect, causing congestion and hold-ups at major UK hubs.
Passenger Advice and Ongoing Issues
Eurocontrol acknowledged the problem, stating they experienced "a network issue which impacted several systems including the ETFMS". Although they confirmed the system was restored, they warned that the backlog of flights would take time to clear, meaning delays continued long after the technical fault was fixed.
Passengers were left facing uncertainty and lengthy waits. Airlines have been urging travellers to monitor their flight status online and to allow extra time for their journeys. The incident highlights the fragility of the continent's integrated air traffic system and its vulnerability to single points of failure.
This event serves as a stark reminder of how reliant modern air travel is on complex digital systems, where a single technical glitch can cause travel misery for thousands of passengers across the UK and Europe.
