Air Traffic Control disruption - ongoing effects today
Yesterday's technical glitch with the UK's air traffic control system continues to cause knock-on delays and cancellations throughout Wednesday, but most flights are now taking off and landing as normal
September 9th 2026 – National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages air traffic control across the UK, experienced a technical problem on Tuesday 8th September. Most departures from UK airports were disrupted from Tuesday lunchtime onwards, with very extensive cancellations and delays.
Most UK flights on Wednesday are taking off and landing as normal, but there are knock-on disruptions throughout the day as airlines reposition aircraft and crew. Please check with your airline before setting off to the airport as there are significant cancellations and delays today.
Our advice if your journey may be affected
- Check your flight status directly with your airline before travelling to the airport – this is the fastest way to know if your flight is affected.
- Allow extra time if you do need to travel, as knock-on delays are likely even once departures resume.
- Check the flexibility of your bookings:
- Customers with Flextras cancellations can cancel any time up to midnight before the booked day of travel. You'll receive a flexible voucher to rebook once your new travel details are confirmed.
- Flextras: Saver customers can cancel for a voucher to use against the same product once new plans are confirmed.
- Use our online amends system to change dates, times, terminals or cancel your booking if required.
Customers already at the airport or travelling today
If you have an urgent question about a booking today, please contact us via Live Chat.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
For questions about your booking with us, you can also use this Contact Form and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible. Please note our contact centre is likely to be unusually busy while this is ongoing.
Links
Official updates
Airports and airlines
- Gatwick Airport – flight information
- Heathrow Airport – flight information
- London City Airport – flight information
- British Airways – flight status
- easyJet – flight status
- Virgin Atlantic – travel alerts
News coverage
