LONDON: More than 600 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled Tuesday due to what the country’s air traffic control service said was a “technical issue”, in the latest glitch to cause disruption.
A total of 625 flights to and from British airports had been axed by 5:00 pm (1700 GMT) amid the problem, according to the aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24.
As of 1700 UTC, 625 flights have been canceled at airports in the UK following an earlier technical problem at NATS’ Shanwick ATC facility.
easyJet: 218
British Airways: 132
Ryanair 41
KLM 37
Eurowings 22 pic.twitter.com/4hHZYmjFJv— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 8, 2026
“We have implemented a fix and our flight system is starting to recover,” Britain’s air traffic control service, known as NATS, said on X.
ℹ️ Technical issue
We have implemented a fix and our flight system is starting to recover. We are continuing to work closely with our airline and airport customers on recovery. (1/2) https://t.co/MEDLS3UUWT
— NATS (@NATS) September 8, 2026
“We are continuing to work closely with our airline and airport customers on recovery,” it added, apologising for the disruption to travellers’ journeys.
The issues follow a technical glitch in July last year that saw scores of flights to and from the UK cancelled and which prompted anger from airline chiefs.
Meanwhile, the country saw its worst air systems failure in almost a decade in 2023, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled and more than 700,000 passengers impacted.
Heathrow Airport, Britain’s largest and busiest airport in west London, confirmed it was among those newly impacted Tuesday, along with Gatwick to the south of the UK capital.
Liverpool, Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were also affected, while Dublin Airport in Ireland said it had cancelled dozens of flights.
“I’m aware of a technical issue impacting flights at airports including Heathrow and Gatwick,” British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on social media.
I’m aware of a technical issue impacting flights at airports including Heathrow and Gatwick.
Technicians have idenfitied the issue and are fixing it as we speak. I know this will be frustrating for passengers and I'm sorry. Please check with your airline for latest advice.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) September 8, 2026
“Technicians have identified the issue and are fixing it as we speak.
“I know this will be frustrating for passengers and I’m sorry,” she added, advising travellers to check with airlines.
