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Home News Heathrow ATC Glitch Disrupts Over 1,000 Flights

Heathrow Air Traffic Control Glitch Causes Major Flight Disruptions

Sep 8, 2026
52 min
10
Sep 8, 2026 21:31
UK flight chaos: Planes stranded as Heathrow hit by ATC glitch

## Technical Glitch Halts Flights

A significant technical issue in the UK's air traffic control system led to widespread flight disruptions on Tuesday. Major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted, experienced delays as the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) faced a problem with its flight processing system.

## Over 1,000 Flights Cancelled

By the evening, more than 1,000 flights had been cancelled, affecting thousands of passengers. Travelers faced long waits and crowded terminals as airlines scrambled to adjust schedules and crews. British Airways cancelled all short-haul flights for the evening, while easyJet cancelled nearly 100 flights.

## Recovery Efforts Underway

NATS announced that the technical issue had been resolved, but warned that clearing the backlog would take time. The incident has raised concerns about the reliability of the UK's air traffic control infrastructure, following previous failures in recent years.

## Passenger Advice

Airports advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates before heading to the airport. The disruption affected not only domestic flights but also international travel plans.

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