Airports across the UK are experiencing disruption after an air traffic control “technical issue”.
Nats, which provides air traffic control services for organisations across the UK, handing 2.5 million flights a year, said it was “investigating a technical issue which is causing some disruption to flight departures. Our engineers are on site and we will provide an update as soon as we can.
“We apologise for the delay this will cause to journeys, passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight.”
At least 15 airports have been affected by the technical issues, causing chaos for holidaymakers.
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “Passengers travelling through UK airports today should check with their airlines before they travel.“In the event of delays or cancellations, airlines are expected to provide passengers with food and drink, or accommodation if delayed overnight.”
Here are the airports affected:
London Heathrow
A spokesperson said: “The air traffic control service Nats is experiencing a technical issue which is impacting departing flights at UK airports. Arriving flights are not currently impacted. We are supporting our local Nats team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We will provide updated information when we have it.”
London Gatwick
A post on social media indicated that London Gatwick Airport was impacted by the air traffic control technical issue.
“We are aware of a Nats technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights.”
London City
London City Airport confirmed it is experiencing disruption to departing flights.
A spokesperson for London City Airport said: “Due to an air traffic control issue affecting airports across London, London City Airport is experiencing disruption to departing flights.
“Passengers should check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank passengers for their patience.”
open image in galleryLondon Southend
London Southend Airport is also being affected by the Nats technical issue.
A spokesperson for London Southend Airport said: “We are aware of a Nats technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Southend.
“We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for latest flight information.”
London Stansted
Flights at London Stansted are disrupted, a spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue affecting Nats’ air traffic control service, which is causing disruption to flights at London Stansted and across the UK.
“Passengers due to travel should check the status of their flight directly with their airline.
“We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.”
Edinburgh
A total of 58 per cent of flights are delayed at Edinburgh Airport, according to FlightRadar24. The average delay is 26 minutes and it ranks number four on the tracker’s global map of air traffic disruption, it added.
A post on X said: “We are aware of a technical issue affecting @NATS which may impact operations. We are working closely with air traffic control, airlines and other partners, and hope @NATS can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
open image in galleryBristol
Travellers have been warned that departures and arrivals at Bristol airport may be impacted by the Nats issue.
“There is flight disruption across the UK due to a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) technical issue which might impact departing flights at Bristol Airport. Arriving flights are not currently affected. Customers should check the latest flight information with their airline.”
Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton
AGS Airports announced three of its airports were experiencing disruption.
A statement on social media read: “There is flight disruption across the UK due to a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) technical issue which is affecting departing and arriving flights at Bristol Airport. Customers should check the latest flight information with their airline.”
Jersey
Jersey Airport said it was also affected by a technical issue with air traffic control. In a statement the Channel Islands airport said: “UK air traffic control is currently experiencing issues which is impacting flights across the UK including services between Jersey and UK.“Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information directly with their airline.”
Manchester
A spokesperson from Manchester Airport said the Nats issue may cause delays to some departing flights.
“We are aware of an issue affecting Nats’ air traffic control service at UK airports, which may result in delays to some departing flights from Manchester Airport today. Passengers due to travel are advised to check the latest status of their flight with their airline.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”
open image in galleryEast Midlands
Passengers hoping to fly out of East Midlands Airport have been advised to check the latest status of their flight.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of an issue affecting NATS’ air traffic control service at UK airports, which may result in delays to some departing flights from East Midlands Airport today.
“Passengers due to travel are advised to check the latest status of their flight with their airline.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and share further updates as more information becomes available.”
open image in galleryBirmingham
Birmingham Airport said the air traffic technical issue is affecting airspace in the south of the UK.
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson said: “There is currently an air traffic technical issue affecting airspace in the south of the UK, which is impacting a significant number of departing flights across the country.
“We apologise to customers whose journeys have been impacted.
“Passengers are advised to arrive at Birmingham Airport (BHX) in line with their airline’s check-in requirements and to contact their airline directly for the latest flight information and updates.”
Belfast City
Belfast City Airport warned of “some disruption” to flights following the technical issue effecting air traffic controller, Nats.
“Due to the technical issue referenced below, there may be some disruption to flights due to arrive in and depart from Belfast City Airport,” they said in a statement.
The airport referred to a post on X from Nats which said they are investigating the technical issue which is “causing some disruption to flight departures”.
Liverpool John Lennon
The technical issue may have some impact on departures at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
In a post on X, Liverpool John Lennon Airport said: “We are aware of a technical issue with Nats’ air traffic control service across the UK, which may have some impact on departures from Liverpool.
“If you are flying out today, please check with your airline for up-to-date details about your flight.”