A technical fault at National Air Traffic Services (Nats) caused widespread flight delays and cancellations across the UK on Tuesday, with London airports including Heathrow and Gatwick worst affected.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- A technical problem affecting Nats disrupted UK air traffic control from early Tuesday afternoon.
- London airports including Heathrow and Gatwick were worst hit, with few departures after the fault.
- Flightradar24 reported about 300 flights cancelled, with the number later cited as more than 400.
- Nats apologised and disruption was expected to continue into the evening.
- Airlines called for an overhaul of the UK air traffic system.
Flights across the UK faced significant delays and cancellations on Tuesday after a technical issue at National Air Traffic Services (Nats) disrupted departures from a string of airports, according to the Guardian and the BBC. Departures from London airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, were the worst affected, with few take-offs since the fault was reported early on Tuesday afternoon.
The flight monitoring website Flightradar24 said about 300 flights had been cancelled, a figure that was expected to rise. Later coverage from the Guardian cited more than 400 cancelled flights as the disruption continued into the evening.
Nats apologised for the technical issue disrupting departures, according to the Guardian’s business live coverage. The problem was expected to take “some time” to resolve, and knock-on disruption was reported in Europe.
The BBC reported that departures from a number of airports were affected by the technical problem, and that more flight delays were expected after hundreds of cancellations caused by the glitch.
In response to the disruption, airlines called for an overhaul of the UK air traffic system, the Guardian reported. Cancellations and delays continued into Tuesday evening as Nats worked to fix the fault.
Why it matters
Air traffic control failures can strand thousands of passengers and ripple across European aviation networks, causing costly delays for travellers and airlines alike. Repeated disruption of this kind has prompted airlines to press for changes to how the UK's air traffic system is run.
Timeline
- More flight cancellations as fallout from air traffic control glitch continues
BBC Business: Departures from a number of airports are affected by a technical problem affecting air traffic control provider Nats.
- More flight delays expected after hundreds cancelled by air traffic control glitch
BBC Business: Departures from a number of airports are affected by a technical problem affecting air traffic control provider Nats.
- UK air traffic control fix issue that cancelled more than 400 flights but disruption to continue into evening – business live
The Guardian World: National Air Traffic Services apologise for technical issue disrupting departures today, which Flightradar24 say has caused hundreds of cancellations Air traffic control issue causes flight delays and disruption across UK Gas prices are rising this morning, putting pressure on Eu
- UK air traffic control fix issue that cancelled 300 flights but disruption to continue into evening – business live
The Guardian World: National Air Traffic Services apologise for technical issue disrupting departures today, which Flightradar24 say has caused hundreds of cancellations Air traffic control issue causes flight delays and disruption across UK Gas prices are rising this morning, putting pressure on Eu
- Flight disruption across UK continues after air traffic control technical issue
The Guardian World: London airports worst hit and 300 flights cancelled as airlines call for overhaul of UK air traffic system Flights in and out of the UK have been significantly disrupted due to an air traffic control issue affecting airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, with cancellations and
- Air traffic control issue causes flight delays and disruption across UK
The Guardian World: Departures from London airports worst hit with most flights since 2pm affected as National Air Traffic Services investigates technical problem Flights around the UK are facing delays and disruption due to an air traffic control issue which has affected a string of airports includ
- Flight delays and disruption across UK after air traffic control technical issue
The Guardian World: London airports worst hit with knock-on disruption in Europe as airlines call for overhaul of UK air traffic system Flights around the UK are facing delays and disruption due to an air traffic control issue which has affected a string of airports including Heathrow and Gatwick an