Flight disruptions expected to continue at UK airports today

NATS, which provides air traffic control services to 15 UK airports, was hit by the issue on Tuesday (September 8).

As a result, around 1,300 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled, according to flight monitoring website Flightradar24.

Tens of thousands of passengers were caught up in cancellations and delays.

Are flight disruptions expected to continue on Wednesday?

Further disruptions are expected on Wednesday as airlines deal with the knock-on effects at major UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted.

Travel journalist Simon Calder warned that the effects on Wednesday were “going to be horrible”.

Mr Calder told Sky News: “There are going to be dozens of cancellations in the morning of flights coming into Heathrow because, basically, the flights didn’t go out tonight.”

Heathrow Airport operations "still recovering"

Heathrow Airport said its operations were “still recovering” after the technical issue.

Following yesterday's NATS technical issue, flights are operating today, but some disruption may continue as airlines reposition aircraft and crew.
Please check your flight status with your airline before travelling to the airport and only travel if your flight is confirmed to be… pic.twitter.com/DZ2g7GQYkL

— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 9, 2026

Its website said: "Flights are operating today, however some knock-on disruption is expected as airlines reposition aircraft and crew.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest status of their flight directly with their airline and to only travel to Heathrow if their flight is confirmed as operating today.

"We apologise to passengers affected by the disruption.

"Additional colleagues are available across our terminals to provide support, and we are working closely with NATS and our airline partners to return operations to normal as quickly as possible."

Manchester Airport is "operating as normal"

Manchester Airport has said it is back "operating as normal" following Tuesday's technical issues.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the airport added: "Those travelling today should continue with their journey plans and check with their airline for the latest information on their flight, as usual.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

ℹ️ Information for passengers - 09.09.26 | 7:30am pic.twitter.com/y1jeR2VvRD

— Manchester Airport (@manairport) September 9, 2026

Airlines affected by NATS' technical issues

Ryanair said more than 65,000 of its passengers had been disrupted and that it had cancelled more than 50 scheduled flights as a result of NATS' technical issues.

British Airways said it had been forced to cancel or divert more than 100 flights on Tuesday, affecting “tens of thousands of customers”.

Some passengers were trapped on planes on runways for hours.

NATS CEO accepts full responsibility for issues

NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe said he “always accept(s) full responsibility” when asked whether he was considering his position after the incident.

Mr Rolfe told Sky News: “I am the CEO of a piece of critical infrastructure, so it is my job to take responsibility for that.”

“What I absolutely take responsibility for is keeping people safe and delivering the best service we possibly can on a day like today.”

“You will understand my focus is entirely about how we actually resolve this issue, get things back to normal, help our airlines, our airport customers and the travelling public.”

But Mr Rolfe has faced criticism from Wizz Air and Ryanair following the latest problem.

Ryanair’s chief operating officer, Neal McMahon, called for Mr Rolfe to resign.

Mr McMahon said: “How many more failures do passengers have to suffer before overpaid failure Nats CEO Martin Rolfe accepts responsibility for his repeated mismanagement and resigns?”

“Over three years after Nats’ catastrophic 2023 system meltdown, it’s clear that nothing has changed, with UK passengers once again suffering avoidable ATC (air traffic control) delays of up to eight hours today due a critical Nats ATC system failing.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is due to speak with Mr Rolfe on Wednesday.

She is also expected to address MPs in the Commons during the second reading of the Civil Aviation Bill.

NATS "continuing to assist airlines

NATS, posting on X on Tuesday night, said it will work on assisting airlines and airports recover from Tuesday’s technical issues.

It added: “This has been a very complex recovery and has created difficulties for the whole aviation network, from which it will take time to recover.”

“We apologise again for the disruption caused. Passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight tonight or tomorrow.”

ℹ️ Technical issue
Work is continuing to assist airlines and airports recover from today's disruption. This has been a very complex recovery and has created difficulties for the whole aviation network, from which it will take time to recover. (1/2) https://t.co/Me6GAY385V

— NATS (@NATS) September 8, 2026

What are your rights if your flight gets cancelled?

Cancelled flights can leave passengers entitled to care, refunds, alternative travel and, in some cases, compensation, the UK Civil Aviation Authority explains.

While you wait

Under UK law, airlines must provide food and drink, a way to communicate, accommodation and transport when a flight is cancelled.

This applies until passengers reach their destination, regardless of the delay’s length or its cause.

If passengers need to stay overnight, airlines may arrange a nearby hotel and transport.

Where an airline cannot provide care during major disruption, passengers can organise reasonable assistance themselves and claim the money back.

Passengers should keep every receipt and avoid spending more than necessary.

Comepensation

Passengers may also qualify for compensation if they received less than 14 days’ notice.

This does not usually apply when cancellation was caused by extreme weather, airport or air traffic control strikes, or another extraordinary circumstance.

For cancellations notified seven to 14 days ahead, compensation may be:

• £220 for short-haul flights
• £350 for medium-haul flights
• £520 for long-haul flights

This depends on the delay at the final destination, with lower amounts for shorter delays.

For notice of less than seven days, passengers may claim £220, £350, £520 or £260, depending on flight distance and delay.

Passengers can choose a refund for unused travel or an alternative flight.

They may ask about another airline or suitable transport if it would get them there significantly sooner.

Has your flight been affected by Tuesday's technical issues? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.