A major technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system caused widespread chaos for travellers, with flights delayed and cancelled at some of the country's busiest airports, including London Gatwick and Heathrow.
The issue, which occurred during a peak travel period, left thousands of passengers stranded as airlines struggled to manage the backlog. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) confirmed the problem was due to a "technical fault" but assured the public that safety was not compromised.
What Went Wrong?
The outage was caused by a failure in the system responsible for processing flight plans, forcing controllers to manually input data—a much slower process that led to significant delays. While the issue was resolved within hours, the knock-on effects lasted much longer, disrupting schedules for the rest of the day.
Impact on Major Airports
London Gatwick and Heathrow were among the worst affected, with dozens of flights cancelled and many more delayed. Passengers reported long queues, missed connections, and frustration over a lack of communication from airlines.
- Gatwick: Over 50 flights were cancelled, with delays averaging three hours.
- Heathrow: Significant disruptions, particularly for short-haul European flights.
What Passengers Should Do
If your flight was cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, you may be entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. Airlines are also required to provide meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary.
Experts advise checking your flight status before heading to the airport and allowing extra time for potential delays.
