Home News UK Flights Disrupted by Air Traffic Control Glitch

UK Flight Disruptions Continue Amid Air Traffic Control Issues

Sep 9, 2026
71 min
13
Sep 9, 2026 03:30
UK flight face more disruption as UAE-UK travellers urged to check status

## Ongoing Flight Cancellations

UK airports are experiencing significant flight disruptions due to a recent air traffic control glitch. On Wednesday, over 150 flights were canceled, following 1,300 cancellations the previous day. The majority of these cancellations occurred at Heathrow, the country's busiest airport.

## Efforts to Resolve the Issue

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is working to resolve the technical problems and assist airlines in recovering from the disruptions. Although departures at Heathrow resumed late Tuesday, ongoing disruptions are expected. Passengers are advised to check with airlines before heading to the airport.

## Impact on Airlines and Passengers

British Airways and Ryanair have been significantly affected, with British Airways canceling or diverting over 100 flights, impacting tens of thousands of passengers. Ryanair reported disruptions for more than 65,000 passengers and canceled over 50 flights.

## UAE-UK Travel Advisory

Travelers between the UAE and UK are advised to monitor flight statuses closely. Emirates and Etihad Airways have reported disruptions, with several flights between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow either canceled or delayed. Passengers are encouraged to check for updates on airline websites and emails before traveling to the airport.

## Government and Airline Reactions

The UK Transport Secretary is seeking assurances that the issues will be addressed, while Ryanair's COO has called for the resignation of NATS' chief executive. The situation remains fluid, and further changes are possible as efforts continue to clear the backlog.

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