Airlines are scrambling to get their flights back on track after an air traffic control (ATC) system failure caused significant disruption to UK air travel on Wednesday afternoon.
Thousands of passengers have been affected and many will likely continue to experience difficulties on their journeys.
ATC provider Nats said its systems were “fully operational” and that air traffic capacity was “returning to normal levels” after a technical glitch affected flights across the UK due to restrictions on the number of aircraft that could be in the air over England and Wales.
Nats added that now that flights have resumed at all airports, it is working with airlines and airports to resolve flight delays.
Dublin Airport has warned passengers of possible delays due to air traffic control problems in the UK.
Passengers planning to fly today are urged to contact their airline for up-to-date information.
Several flights arriving at Dublin Airport this evening are reportedly delayed as many planes need to fly through UK airspace.
Following the failure, Ryanair called on Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign, claiming “no lessons have been learned” from the August 2023 system failure.
The airline's chief operating officer, Neil McMahon, said: “It is outrageous that passengers are again facing delays and disruption due to the continued mismanagement of Nats under the leadership of Martin Rolfe.”
“Another failure of the air traffic control system has led to the closure of UK airspace, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers.
“It is clear that no lessons have been learned from the Nats system failure in August 2023 and passengers continue to suffer due to Martin Rolf's incompetence.”
More than 700,000 passengers were affected by the suspension of flights at UK airports on 28 August 2023 when Nats experienced a technical failure in processing a flight plan.
Mr McMahon continued: “If Nats CEO Martin Rolfe does not resign over the latest system failure which has again disrupted thousands of passengers, then UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander must immediately remove Martin Rolfe and implement urgent reforms to Nats’ chaotic ATC service to ensure airlines and passengers no longer suffer these avoidable delays caused by Nats’ repeated failures.”
Wednesday's incident left many planes and flight crews without work.
British Airways (BA) said the problem “affected the vast majority of our flights” and Birmingham Airport said “flights from many UK airports have been suspended”.
Several flights arriving at UK airports have been forced to land in holding areas or be diverted to other locations.
In an update, BA said the number of incoming and outgoing flights at Heathrow was limited to 32 per hour until 7.15pm, after which the flow would return to the normal 45 per hour.
Consumer organisation Which? said passengers whose flights were delayed or cancelled may be entitled to meals or hotel accommodation.
“If your flight is cancelled or delayed, the airline will likely not be obligated to compensate you because the technical problem is considered an 'extraordinary circumstance' beyond the airline's control,” said deputy editor Naomi Leach.
“However, you are entitled to meals or hotel accommodation depending on the length of the delay, but be sure to keep your receipts as you will need to claim them back from the airline.”
The company said the “technical issue” that caused the outage occurred at Nats' control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I am aware of a technical issue that has affected Nats and
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
