ch-aviation
• Hilka Birns
A technical failure at National Air Traffic Services disrupted operations across the UK, with reports ranging from 1,055 cancellations to more than 2,000 cancellations and delays. The transport secretary called the failure “avoidable,” while Ryanair and Wizz Air urged urgent reforms as schedules gradually recover.
ATC
Latest source-backed stories
High activity
A technical failure at National Air Traffic Services disrupted operations across the UK, with reports ranging from 1,055 cancellations to more than 2,000 cancellations and delays. The transport secretary called the failure “avoidable,” while Ryanair and Wizz Air urged urgent reforms as schedules gradually recover.
High activity
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said airfares could rise significantly if oil and jet-fuel prices remain elevated, with higher fares at rival airlines potentially giving Ryanair a competitive advantage. O’Leary also renewed criticism of UK air traffic control operator NATS after a system outage disrupted thousands of flights.
High activity
A Russian drone crashed near a Moldovan village as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft prepared to depart for Norway, prompting Moldova to close its airspace and delaying three flights. Officials said debris resembled Russian Geran-type drones, underscoring the growing risk to civilian aviation from the war in Ukraine.
High activity
UK air travel is recovering after a NATS flight-processing failure disrupted operations, canceled more than 2,000 flights and stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers. Although services returned to normal and NATS ruled out a cyber attack, aircraft and crew repositioning is extending the disruption.
High activity
A systems failure at UK air traffic control provider NATS caused 1,700 flight cancellations on Tuesday and more than 300 on Wednesday, with Heathrow among the airports still affected. The government has given NATS one week to investigate as airlines work through continuing delays and cancellations.
High activity
A technical failure at the UK’s air traffic control provider NATS halted arrivals at London’s five major airports until at least 10 p.m. Tuesday, while cancellations and delays affected more than 1,000 flights nationwide. Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted were among the airports disrupted.
High activity
Two Democratic senators are urging the FAA to distribute the remaining 2.8% of a congressionally approved pay increase for air traffic controllers, accusing the agency of withholding raises. The FAA says additional conditions remain, intensifying a dispute over controller workload and a broader scheduling overhaul.
High activity
Ukraine is urging ICAO to prohibit commercial overflights of Russia, citing deteriorating airspace safety as it plans more drone activity near Russian airports. Airlines are already adjusting operations: Air Tanzania diverted a Moscow flight to St. Petersburg, while Flydubai continues reviewing routes, delays and diversions.
Create a free account to see more recent ATC stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
