Hundreds of flights to and from the UK were delayed on Monday due to a computer failure in the “entire network” of the national air traffic control systems. Some passengers were told their flights could be delayed for up to 12 hours while engineers work out the glitch.
At approximately 3:32 p.m., British airspace controllers Nats announced that the problem had been resolved.
“We have identified and resolved the technical issue. We will reveal more about this matter soon,” they revealed in a new statement, reported by Reuters. BBC.
On the ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal website, it is possible to see that there are many flight cancellations at Portuguese airports, to and from the United Kingdom. At around 3pm, five flights in Lisbon and four in Faro were cancelled.
According to flight tracking portals, only a handful of planes were able to take off from Heathrow, the UK's busiest airport, as of 11:30 a.m.
A spokesman for NATS, British Airways, explained: “We are currently experiencing a technical issue and have implemented air traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety. Engineers are working to find and correct the glitch. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.” Observers told The Guardian.
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said there were disruptions to flights across the UK.
“We advise passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates. We are working closely with NATS and other airport passengers to minimize the impact on passengers,” he advised.
British Airways has informed passengers that their flights are at risk of delays.
A spokesman for the British airline said: “We are working closely with NATS to understand the impact of a technical issue affecting UK airspace and will keep our customers updated with the latest information.”
In turn, the Glasgow-based regional airline Loganair warned customers via X (formerly Twitter) that “there was a malfunction in the UK’s air traffic control computer systems this morning.”
News updated at 3:43 p.m
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.