Air travelers in the UK are being alerted about possible delays as the country’s air traffic control systems have encountered a technical problem. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages air traffic control, has taken measures to ensure safety by imposing traffic flow restrictions.
People boarding flights both to and from the UK have been informed about the issue. NATS stated, “We are currently experiencing a technical issue and have applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety. Engineers are working to find and fix the fault. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Heathrow Airport acknowledged the disruption, advising passengers to consult their airlines for the latest information. Collaboration with NATS and other airport partners is ongoing to mitigate the impact on passengers.
Loganair, a Glasgow-based airline, cautioned travelers about potential delays caused by a “network-wide failure” of air traffic control systems. They suggested checking their website for flight updates before heading to the airport.
At Stansted Airport, Ryanair passengers were instructed to wait at their gates until further notice.
British Airways also emphasized cooperation with NATS to comprehend the repercussions of the technical issue and pledged to keep customers informed.
Michele Robson, an ex-air traffic control worker, noted the unusual duration of the failure, indicating that such incidents typically last a few hours. She revealed that a flight planning system failure had occurred in both UK centers.
BBC presenter Gabby Logan also faced the disruption, being stuck on a plane on the Budapest runway due to the UK airspace closure. The extent of the issue’s duration remains uncertain, leaving passengers in anticipation.
For those planning air travel in the UK, staying informed through airline announcements is advisable during this period of uncertainty
