UK Airports Chaos: Calls for Investigation After Air Traffic Control Meltdown Grounds Flights

Disruption hits Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and more as 120+ flights are cancelled due to technical glitch Passengers across the UK faced chaos today (July 30) after a major technical failure at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) led to grounded flights and widespread delays at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Edinburgh. The disruption began […]

Disruption hits Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and more as 120+ flights are cancelled due to technical glitch

Passengers across the UK faced chaos today (July 30) after a major technical failure at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) led to grounded flights and widespread delays at airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Edinburgh.

The disruption began earlier today when a fault at the NATS control centre severely limited the number of aircraft that could fly through England and Wales. Engineers have since resolved the issue, but travel chaos continues, with over 120 flights cancelled and more delays expected into the night.

Over 120 Flights Cancelled – Thousands Affected

As of 7.30pm, 67 departures and 55 arrivals had been cancelled nationwide. Heathrow suffered the worst disruption, with 24 outbound flights and 14 inbound grounded. Passengers have reported long queues, lack of information, and missed connections.

Watch the Moment Air Traffic Control Systems Fail

Watch Live Footage:
Incredible real-time footage from aviation livestreamer Big Jet TV captured the exact moment air traffic control went down at Heathrow Airport.
Skip to 3 hours 5 minutes in the video to witness the disruption unfold live as flights begin stacking up and communication halts.
Watch the Big Jet TV coverage here

NATS Confirms Technical Issue Resolved

A NATS spokesperson confirmed:

“We experienced a technical issue which required traffic flow restrictions in the London area to maintain safety. Engineers have resolved the issue and systems are now fully operational.”

However, the ripple effect has already impacted thousands of travellers, especially during the busy summer travel period.

Department for Transport Issues Statement

In response to growing pressure, the Department for Transport released a statement:

“While passengers should continue to check with individual airports, NATS have confirmed their systems are now fully operational.

We are working closely with NATS to understand the cause of the issue and the implications for future resilience.”

The department also clarified that the Transport Secretary does not have direct control over NATS, and has no authority over its staffing or operations.

EasyJet, BA, and Other Airlines Issue Apologies

An EasyJet spokesperson said:

“An earlier technical issue at the NATS air traffic control centre has caused disruption to flights to and from the UK.

We advise customers to check our Flight Tracker and are contacting impacted passengers directly. While this was outside our control, we apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

Other airlines including British Airways and Ryanair are also warning of delays and urging passengers to check the status of their flights online before heading to the airport.

Growing Calls for Accountability and Inquiry

As delays mount, aviation industry leaders and politicians are calling for a full investigation into NATS, with some demanding the resignation of senior leadership responsible for system oversight.

Passengers have taken to social media to express frustration, with many questioning why a single technical failure can cause nationwide airspace disruption in 2025.