A technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system has caused significant disruptions for thousands of passengers, with around 600 flights cancelled on September 8, 2026. National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages air traffic for 15 airports in the UK, reported a major technical issue that affected operations at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham. Despite NATS implementing a fix, disruptions continued into the following day, with approximately 250 flights cancelled at Heathrow alone by 6 AM on September 9, and British Airways cancelling over 190 flights.
Passengers reported being stranded for extended periods, with former F1 driver Martin Brundle sharing his experience of being stuck on a plane at Heathrow for nine hours without food or access to restrooms. Julia Kobrin and her daughter, who were in Milan, Italy, reported being stuck on the tarmac for six hours before their British Airways flight was cancelled, leaving them to find alternative travel arrangements.
At Gatwick, passengers faced long queues and delays, with some stranded for over 16 hours. Marcus Wareham described the situation as chaotic, stating that he could not leave the airport due to malfunctioning passport e-gates. Other travelers reported similar experiences, with many missing pre-booked accommodations and work commitments due to the disruptions.
NATS Chief Executive Martin Rolfe stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the incident, ruling out a cyber attack as the cause. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers and emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety and operational standards in air traffic control. However, many passengers may not be entitled to compensation for the disruptions, according to consumer advocacy group Which?.