A technical glitch at UK air traffic control provider Nats grounded planes for hours on Tuesday, delaying or cancelling flights for hundreds of thousands of passengers in the third large-scale stoppage in just over three years.
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Key facts
- At least 600 flights were cancelled following the disruption.
- The problem was caused by a technical issue at air traffic control provider Nats.
- Hundreds of thousands of passengers had flights delayed or cancelled.
- It was the third large-scale stoppage in just over three years.
- Airlines are calling for an overhaul of the ATC system.
Hundreds of thousands of air passengers had flights delayed or cancelled on Tuesday after another UK air traffic control technical glitch kept planes grounded for hours, according to the Guardian.
The disruption was traced to a “technical issue” at the air traffic control services provider Nats, which the Guardian reported caused planes to remain on the ground for an extended period during the day.
At least 600 flights were cancelled as a result of the fault, the Guardian said, with the knock-on effects rippling across airports and leaving large numbers of travellers stranded.
Airlines demanded action in the wake of the incident, describing it as the third large-scale stoppage caused by air traffic control problems in just over three years, according to the Guardian.
Carriers called for an overhaul of the ATC system, arguing that repeated failures point to deeper problems that need to be addressed to prevent further mass disruption.
The Guardian also pointed passengers to guidance on their rights during UK airport disruption, reflecting the scale of the impact on those whose journeys were affected.
Why it matters
Repeated failures in the systems that keep UK airspace running can leave large numbers of travellers stranded and impose significant costs on airlines and the wider economy. With this being the third major stoppage in just over three years, pressure is mounting for reforms to prevent future disruption.
Frequently asked questions
How many flights were cancelled?
According to the Guardian, at least 600 flights were cancelled following the technical fault.
What caused the disruption?
The Guardian reported the disruption was caused by a technical issue at the air traffic control services provider Nats, which kept planes grounded for hours on Tuesday.
Has this happened before?
Yes. The Guardian described the incident as the third large-scale stoppage in just over three years, prompting airlines to demand an overhaul of the ATC system.
Timeline
- UK air traffic control breakdown strands hundreds of thousands of passengers
The Guardian World: More than 1,000 flights cancelled with disruption continuing on Wednesday and airlines calling for overhaul after third incident in just over three years UK airport disruption: what are your rights? Flight delays and cancellations were expected to continue into Wednesday at UK ai
- UK air traffic control chaos disrupts flights for hundreds of thousands of passengers
The Guardian World: More than 1,000 flights cancelled with problems continuing on Wednesday and airlines calling for overhaul after third incident in just over three years UK airport disruption: what are your rights? Flight delays and cancellations were expected to continue into Wednesday at UK airp
- UK air traffic control problem strands hundreds of thousands of passengers
The Guardian World: At least 600 flights cancelled as airlines call for overhaul of ATC system after third incident in as many years UK airport disruption: what are your rights? Hundreds of thousands of air passengers had flights delayed or cancelled after another UK air traffic control technical gl