British Airways cancelled approximately 550 flights on September 10, 2026, following a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) air traffic control system outage that began on September 8. The disruption heavily impacted the airline’s schedule across UK airports.
Customer Impact and Operational Status on September 10
More than 85,000 customers were affected by the cancellations and delays resulting from the NATS outage. British Airways rebooked over 60,000 passengers on alternative flights since the disruption began on September 8. On September 10, the airline expected to operate its full scheduled network.
Recovery Efforts and Flight Cancellations on September 9
The effects of the outage continued into September 9 as aircraft and crews remained out of position, forcing British
Airways to cancel over 190 flights on that day while revising its timetable. On September 9, the carrier managed to operate almost 80% of its planned flights. To assist customers affected on September 10 who no longer wished to travel, British Airways offered free flight changes up to September 13, accessible through its Manage My Booking online service.
Wider Effects and Staff Response
British Airways described the incident as an example of how disruption in one part of the aviation system can have cascading effects on airline operations and passengers. The airline acknowledged employees who extended shifts or volunteered to support affected travellers amid the
ongoing recovery.
