Passengers at airports including Heathrow and Gatwick are facing travel chaos due to a “technical issue” that has grounded flights across the UK.
Departures are being severely delayed because air-traffic chiefs say planes cannot take off safely.
The National Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) said: “We are 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.”
Heathrow Airport posted on its X account: “The air traffic control service 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. We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for latest flight information.”
Have you been affected by this story? Email jane.dalton@independent.co.uk
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FlightRadar pictures show flights grounded at Heathrow and Gatwick
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 16:10
Departures from East Midlands airport on hold
Most UK airports appear affected by the technical issue.
An East Midlands Airport spokesperson said: “The air traffic control service, NATS, is experiencing technical issues which is delaying departures from UK airports including East Midlands. “
All departures from East Midlands Airport are suspended but arrivals are unaffected.
“Passengers are asked to contact their airlines for further updates,” they said.
Jane Dalton8 September 2026 16:10
Watch: Flights grounded at UK airports including Heathrow due to air traffic control glitch
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 16:00
Recovery ‘will take some time’, air traffic control bosses warn
Recovery from an issue with the flight processing system this afternoon “will take some time”, air traffic control bosses have warned.
A new statement from Nats said: “We have identified that the issue was in our flight processing system. Our engineers are on site and working urgently to resume normal operations as quickly as possible.
“We recognise the ongoing disruption to travel, for which we sincerely apologise.
“Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time. We will provide further updates as soon as possible.
“Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline. We will provide further updates as soon as we have confirmed information, at www.nats.aero and on X at @NATS.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:56
Passengers returning to airport from grounded planes amid disruption
Passengers are abandoning planes and returning to the terminal at London Luton as disruption continues.
Customers on the ground told The Independent passengers are being provided with buses back to the terminal amid uncertainty over how long disruption could last.
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:52
British Airways confirms disruption over air traffic control issue
British Airways has confirmed its flights are disrupted this afternoon.
“We’re currently experiencing disruption as a result of a technical issue affecting air traffic control, which is run by National Air Traffic Control Services,” it said in a statement.
“This is out of our control and our teams are working hard to get your travel plans back on track as quickly as possible.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:50
London Heathrow ‘unavailable for arrivals’
London Heathrow has now been listed as “unavailable for arrivals” between 2pm and 4pm, with inbound flights being held or diverted, according to FlightRadar24.
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:47
Cancelled or delayed flights: What are my rights to a refund?
Passengers at major UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick have been plunged into chaos after a “technical issue” grounded a number of flights.
Departures are experiencing long delays on Tuesday afternoon after an air control issue left planes unable to take off safely.
As hundreds of thousands of travellers head off on trips, it’s important to know your rights as an air passenger in the event of flight cancellations and delays.
You can read all you need to know below:
Cancelled or delayed flights: What are my rights to a refund?
Here are the obligations each airline has and what you can expect if your journey is disrupted Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:45
Full list of airports affected as major delays hit UK flights
Here is the full list of airports who have confirmed they are affected by this afternoon’s air traffic control issue:
• London Heathrow
• London Gatwick
• Stansted Airport
• Manchester Airport
• Birmingham Airport
• Belfast City Airport
• Edinburgh Airport
• Aberdeen Airport
• Glasgow Airport
• Southampton Airport
• East Midlands Airport
• Jersey Airport
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:41
‘We’re not going anywhere soon’, grounded passenger says
Speaking to The Independent, one passenger who is currently stuck at Luton Airport said it “doesn’t look like we are going anywhere soon”.
The man said he is on a plane that was about to take off after a significant delay, when air traffic control told the pilot they could not leave.
He said a tannoy announcement made to passengers said the “whole London airspace” is affected.
“We were told we were next in line, but have now taxied back to park in front of a hangar,” he said.
“It doesn’t look like we are going anywhere soon.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane8 September 2026 15:32NewerOlder