Widespread flight cancellations and delays continued into a second day across the United Kingdom following a major technical failure in the air traffic control system. The disruption, which began on Tuesday, impacted around 1,300 flights to and from UK airports. Hundreds more flights were cancelled on Wednesday morning as airlines grappled with the fallout.
The disruption stemmed from a technical issue with the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the provider of air traffic control services for 15 UK airports. The problem affected NATS's 'flight processing system,' which has since been resolved. However, NATS warned that delays would persist as the system worked to clear a backlog of flights.
Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS, stated that a cyber attack has been ruled out as the cause of the technical failure. He assured that a thorough investigation into the incident would be conducted. Rolfe indicated that the issue was unprecedented in the 50-year history of NATS operations.
Major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted reported significant disruptions. By 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Heathrow had already seen 246 flight cancellations, while Gatwick reported 33 cancellations. Airlines have been working to reposition aircraft and crew to mitigate further disruption, but passengers were advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before traveling.
Passengers affected by delays of at least three hours are entitled to food and drink from their airline. If a delay extends overnight, airlines should provide accommodation or passengers can book their own, keeping costs reasonable and retaining receipts. For delays exceeding five hours, passengers have the option to cancel their travel and receive a full refund.
In the event of a cancellation, airlines are obligated to offer a full refund or arrange an alternative flight. Compensation for delays or cancellations due to this technical issue is unlikely, as it is considered an 'extraordinary circumstance' outside the airlines' control. However, passengers are still entitled to essential provisions based on the length of the delay. Travel insurance policies may cover additional expenses, depending on the policy's terms and conditions regarding travel disruption. Passengers are advised to check their policy details and keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to the disruption.
