NATS Technical Issue Causes 1,300 Flight Cancellations
Disruptions continue into September 9, affecting thousands of passengers across UK airports.
Trust 60Craft 60Hype 40How this was reported ▾
The central claim is attributed to NATS and quoted individuals, with figures from Flightradar24 and airlines.
How well corroborated and evidenced the reporting is. Higher is better.
The article explains the issue, quotes affected parties and officials, and details next steps for passengers.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline and initial paragraphs convey the expected continuation of disruptions without excessive sensationalism.
How far presentation runs ahead of substance. Lower is better.
1 source assessed · methodology
Air traffic control provider NATS experienced a technical issue on September 8, 2026, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays across the UK. Approximately 1,300 flights were cancelled on the day the fault occurred, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.
Continuing Disruptions Expected
UK Airport Departures Disrupted by Air Traffic Control Issue
Flights are affected across multiple airports due to a technical problem with Nats, the UK's air traffic control provider.
Further disruptions were anticipated on September 9 as airlines worked to manage the consequences of the previous day's technical fault. Major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted were expected to experience ongoing issues. Travel journalist Simon Calder described the situation for September 9 as "going to be horrible," noting that many inbound flights to Heathrow would be cancelled because their outbound journeys had been affected the previous night.
Heathrow Airport confirmed its operations were still recovering. While flights were operating on September 9, the airport advised passengers to check their flight status with their airline before travelling, as aircraft and crew repositioning could cause further delays. Heathrow stated it was working closely with NATS and airline partners to restore normal operations.
Manchester Airport indicated it expected a full flight schedule on September 9, following the resolution of the NATS issue. However, the airport cautioned that it might be busier than usual due to rescheduled flights and advised passengers to verify their flight status directly with their airline.
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Airline Impact and CEO Response
Airlines reported significant impacts. Ryanair stated that over 65,000 of its passengers were disrupted, with more than 50 flights cancelled. British Airways reported cancelling or diverting over 100 flights on September 8, affecting tens of thousands of customers. Some passengers experienced lengthy delays on runways.
NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe accepted full responsibility for the incident. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Rolfe stated, "I am the CEO of a piece of critical infrastructure, so it is my job to take responsibility for that." He added that his focus was on resolving the issue and restoring normal service. However, Ryanair's chief operating officer, Neal McMahon, called for Mr Rolfe's resignation, citing repeated mismanagement and referencing a previous system failure in 2023.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was scheduled to speak with Mr Rolfe on September 9 and was also expected to address Members of Parliament regarding the situation.
Passenger Rights
According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, passengers whose flights are cancelled may be entitled to care, refunds, alternative travel, and potentially compensation. Airlines are generally required to provide food, drink, communication facilities, accommodation, and transport until passengers reach their destination. If an airline cannot provide these during major disruption, passengers can arrange reasonable assistance themselves and claim reimbursement.
Questions this report answers
+How many flights were cancelled due to the NATS technical issue?
Approximately 1,300 flights were cancelled on September 8, 2026, due to a technical issue affecting NATS air traffic control services. This led to significant disruptions for tens of thousands of passengers across the UK.
+What was the impact on airlines like Ryanair?
Ryanair reported that over 65,000 of its passengers were affected by the disruptions, with more than 50 of its flights cancelled. British Airways also cancelled or diverted over 100 flights on September 8.
+What did the NATS CEO say about the incident?
NATS CEO Martin Rolfe accepted full responsibility for the technical issue, stating it was his job as CEO of critical infrastructure to do so. His focus, he said, was on resolving the problem and restoring normal service.
+What are passengers entitled to if their flight is cancelled?
Under UK law, passengers whose flights are cancelled may be entitled to care, which includes food, drink, communication, accommodation, and transport. They may also be eligible for refunds or compensation depending on the circumstances.
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