UK air traffic failure draws fury

Dhaka: Air travel across the UK was thrown into chaos on 30 July after a technical issue with the country’s air traffic control system disrupted operations for more than four hours, grounding flights at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, London City, and Newcastle.

While arrivals continued, all departures were halted, leaving thousands stranded at the peak of the summer holiday season. Even after flights resumed, passengers were urged to check with airlines due to lingering delays and potential eligibility for compensation.

The problem was linked to radar systems managed by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in Swanick. NATS said the issue was resolved by switching to a backup system and reducing traffic to ensure safety. Departures gradually resumed, but the fallout was significant.

The disruption comes on the heels of multiple recent technical failures. In August 2023, a system glitch during summer caused nationwide delays, while in March 2025, a fire near Heathrow triggered a near day-long shutdown. The repetition of such incidents has drawn sharp criticism.

Ryanair, one of Europe’s largest airlines, condemned the situation as “utterly unacceptable” and demanded the resignation of NATS CEO Martin Rolfe, accusing him of failing to act on past lessons. The airline also blamed him for continued passenger disruption.

Industry analysts estimate the brief Heathrow shutdown alone may have cost the travel sector at least £3.3 million (€3.8 million). In 2023, a similar NATS failure cost airlines over £100 million in compensation and refunds.

-B