A significant technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system has led to chaos at major airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The disruption, described as a "major incident" by aviation officials, has resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations and severe delays.
What Happened?
The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) confirmed a "technical issue" affecting its automated flight planning system, forcing controllers to manually process flight data—a slower and less efficient method. The problem emerged during peak travel hours, exacerbating delays.
Impact on Travel
Heathrow and Gatwick, two of the UK's busiest airports, bore the brunt of the disruption. Airlines were forced to:
- Cancel flights at short notice
- Delay departures by several hours
- Divert incoming planes to alternative airports
Passengers took to social media to express frustration, with many reporting being stuck on grounded planes for extended periods.
Official Response
NATS assured the public that safety was not compromised and teams were working to restore full service. A spokesperson stated:
"We've implemented contingency measures to manage traffic flow safely. We apologise for the inconvenience and advise passengers to check with their airlines for updates."
The Civil Aviation Authority said it would investigate the cause of the failure once operations normalise.
What Passengers Should Do
Travel experts recommend:
- Checking flight status before heading to the airport
- Allowing extra time for potential delays
- Reviewing airline compensation policies for cancellations
The disruption comes during a busy summer travel period, compounding existing challenges in the aviation sector.
