Passengers at two of the UK's busiest airports, Gatwick and Heathrow, faced severe disruptions on Wednesday after an air traffic control failure led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. The technical issue, which affected National Air Traffic Services (NATS), caused widespread delays and left travellers stranded.
What Happened?
The disruption began in the early hours of the morning when NATS reported a "technical fault" in its systems. The issue forced airlines to ground flights, with Gatwick and Heathrow bearing the brunt of the chaos. By midday, over 200 flights had been cancelled, with many more delayed.
Passenger Frustration
Long queues formed at check-in desks and customer service counters as frustrated passengers scrambled for information. Many took to social media to express their anger, with some reporting being stuck on planes for hours without updates.
Airlines Respond
Major carriers including British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic issued statements apologising for the disruption. Airlines advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and offered rebooking options where possible.
Ongoing Impact
While NATS confirmed the technical issue had been resolved by late afternoon, the knock-on effects were expected to continue into Thursday. Airport authorities warned of further delays as airlines worked to clear the backlog of affected flights.
Travel Advice
Passengers due to travel in the coming days are advised to:
- Check their flight status before leaving for the airport
- Allow extra time for potential delays
- Contact their airline for rebooking options if affected
