Over 2,000 flights were cancelled between September 8 and 9 at major UK airports following a technical fault at the National Air Traffic Service (NATS). More than 1,750 cancellations occurred on Tuesday, with an additional 150 flights cancelled on Wednesday. Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester airports were among those most affected by the disruptions.
Ryanair reported around 150,000 passengers impacted by the cancellations over the two days. British Airways also cancelled or diverted approximately 100 flights, affecting tens of thousands of customers. The technical failure displaced aircraft and crews across Europe, creating ongoing knock-on effects that continue to affect flight schedules,
especially for travelers connecting through London airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick. Travel advisors have been cautioned not to assume operations have returned to normal.
The cancellations and disruptions stemmed from a technical glitch in the NATS air traffic control system. In addition to immediate cancellations, the displacement of crews and aircraft across the continent has prolonged operational challenges beyond the UK, affecting European routes and schedules.
