More flights delayed after hundreds cancelled by air traffic control glitch

NATS Technical Glitch Causes Widespread Disruption

A technical glitch in the UK's air traffic control system has caused widespread disruption, with nearly 2,000 flights cancelled on Tuesday and a further 153 axed on Wednesday. The glitch, which affected NATS' flight data processing system, has been resolved, but the disruption is likely to persist due to backlogs. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, tens of thousands of passengers were affected by the disruption, with EasyJet making 200 cancellations and British Airways more than 100.

Airports Affected by the Disruption

The disruption has affected several airports in the UK, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham. Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in Europe, has been significantly affected, with 246 cancellations recorded by 6am on Wednesday, according to FlightRadar. Gatwick passengers have faced 33 cancellations, while Manchester Airport has reported nine cancellations and Bristol Airport five.

Airlines Affected by the Disruption

Several airlines have been affected by the disruption, including British Airways, EasyJet, and Ryanair. Ryanair has reported that more than 65,000 of its passengers have been disrupted, with the airline cancelling more than 50 flights. British Airways has also been significantly affected, with the airline cancelling and diverting 100 flights, affecting tens of thousands of its customers.

Reaction from Airlines and Passengers

Airlines have been critical of NATS, with Ryanair and Wizz Air calling for an overhaul of the air traffic control provider. Ryanair COO Neal McMahon has repeated his calls for NATS boss Martin Rolfe to be fired, accusing him of having again "failed UK travellers". Yvonne Moynihan, managing director of Wizz Air UK, stated, "I think in any position where you've had three failures you need to consider three strikes and your out." Passengers have also been affected by the disruption, with many taking to social media to express their frustration.

Investigation into the Disruption

NATS has apologized for the disruption and has launched an investigation into the cause of the technical glitch. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has summoned NATS boss Martin Rolfe to a meeting to explain what happened, and will address the House of Commons on the disruption. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has also said it will consider whether any further steps need to be taken to help secure the safe reliability of the UK's air traffic control system. Alexander will tell MPs that a cyber attack was "categorically" not the cause of the fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the disruption to flights in the UK?

A technical glitch in NATS' flight data processing system caused the disruption, which has been resolved but is likely to persist due to backlogs.

How many flights were cancelled due to the disruption?

Nearly 2,000 flights were cancelled on Tuesday and a further 153 axed on Wednesday, affecting tens of thousands of passengers, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Which airports were affected by the disruption?

Several airports in the UK were affected, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham, with Heathrow being the worst-affected.

The disruption to flights in the UK is likely to continue, with airlines and airports working to clear the backlog of delayed flights. NATS has apologized for the disruption and has launched an investigation into the cause of the technical glitch. The UK's Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, is set to address the House of Commons on the disruption, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will consider whether any further steps need to be taken to help secure the safe reliability of the UK's air traffic control system. As the situation continues to unfold, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information on their flights. Heathrow has said passengers should only travel to the airport if they have a confirmed flight operating.