UK Flights Resume After Major Air Traffic Control Failure

Flights from British airports resumed on Wednesday after a major air traffic control failure caused more than 1,000 cancellations and stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Airports warned that disruption would continue as aircraft and crew were repositioned following Tuesday’s hours long shutdown. Heathrow and Gatwick advised passengers to check with airlines before travelling as schedules remained subject to change.

Ryanair said about 150,000 passengers were affected after more than 200 flights were cancelled, while British Airways cancelled or diverted about 100 flights.

The disruption has increased pressure on air traffic control provider NATS and chief executive Martin Rolfe. Ryanair has previously called for Rolfe’s resignation following a 2023 system failure that cost airlines about £100 million.