What Exactly Caused the Disruption?
The chaos began on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, due to a technical issue within the flight processing system of National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK's main air traffic control provider. This system is critical for managing the thousands of flights
that cross UK airspace daily. While the exact fault is under investigation, NATS has stated it was not a cyberattack. The failure forced controllers to revert to manual processes, severely limiting the number of flights that could safely take off and land. This led to a near-standstill at major airports like London's Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as Manchester and others, triggering a massive domino effect across Europe and beyond.
How Widespread Is the Impact?
The scale of the disruption has been immense. Since Tuesday, over 2,000 flights have been cancelled, affecting more than 330,000 passengers. On Tuesday alone, nearly a third of all scheduled flights in the UK were either cancelled or did not operate. The knock-on effects continued into Wednesday and Thursday, as airlines struggled to get aircraft and crew back into their correct positions. This backlog has meant further cancellations and significant delays even after the initial technical problem was fixed within a few hours on Tuesday afternoon. Airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air have reported major disruptions, with some carriers demanding the resignation of the NATS chief executive.
Are Flights to and from India Affected?
Yes, the disruption has directly impacted travel between India and the UK. Several flights operated by Air India, IndiGo, and British Airways on India-UK routes have been cancelled, delayed, or diverted. For instance, some flights from Mumbai and Delhi to London were diverted to other European cities like Amsterdam and Paris, with their return journeys to India subsequently cancelled. This has left many Indian passengers stranded, facing long waits and uncertainty. Air India has confirmed that multiple flights to and from UK airports were affected and advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Is the System Fixed and Are Flights Normal Now?
NATS confirmed that the technical issue was resolved on Tuesday evening. However, the recovery has been complex and slow. As of Thursday, September 10, flight schedules were beginning to ease, with far fewer cancellations than the preceding days, and were expected to return to normal later in the day. Despite this, passengers are still advised that 'knock-on' disruption is possible as the system catches up. Airports like Heathrow have stated that while flights are operating, some schedules may still be affected as airlines continue the process of repositioning their fleet and crews.
What Are Your Rights as a Passenger?
If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, airlines have a duty of care. This means they must provide you with assistance, including food and drink vouchers, access to communication, and, if necessary, overnight accommodation with transport. If your flight is cancelled, you have the right to either a full refund for the unused part of your ticket or to be rerouted on an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity—even if it's with a rival airline. However, because the disruption was caused by an air traffic control failure, it is considered an 'extraordinary circumstance'. This means that while you are entitled to care and assistance, you are unlikely to be eligible for additional financial compensation from the airline.
What Should You Do If You're Flying Soon?
The most crucial step is to stay informed. Do not travel to the airport without first checking the status of your flight directly with your airline via their website or app. Many airports are also providing updates through their social media channels. Even if your flight is confirmed, it is wise to allow extra time for your journey to and through the airport. Keep all essential items, such as medication and chargers, in your hand luggage. If you incur reasonable extra costs for food or accommodation due to a delay, keep all your receipts, as you may be able to claim these back from the airline.
