ATC News

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UK air traffic control outage triggers more than 2,000 flight disruptions and calls for NATS reform

A technical failure at National Air Traffic Services disrupted flights across the UK, with more than 1,000 cancellations reported and total disruptions exceeding 2,000. Transport Secretary calls the failure avoidable, while Ryanair and Wizz Air demand urgent reforms as schedules gradually return to normal.

Reuters

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Ryanair warns of significant fare increases as jet fuel costs rise, while O’Leary renews criticism of NATS

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned that airfares could see a “significant uplift” if oil and jet fuel prices remain elevated, while higher fares at rival airlines could strengthen Ryanair’s competitive position. He also renewed criticism of UK air traffic control provider NATS after a system outage disrupted thousands of flights.

Associated Press

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Russian drone incursion into Moldova nearly intercepts Zelenskyy’s aircraft, closing airspace

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.

Bloomberg

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NATS outage cancels more than 2,000 UK flights, prompting calls for system overhaul

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.

Reuters

High activity

NATS failure triggers 1,700 UK flight cancellations, with disruption continuing at Heathrow

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.

Reuters

High activity

NATS outage halts arrivals at five London airports and disrupts more than 1,000 UK flights

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.

Bloomberg

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Senators Press FAA to Release Controllers’ Remaining 2.8% Pay Raise Amid Scheduling Tensions

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.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Ukraine asks ICAO to ban overflights of Russia as drone threat disrupts Moscow flights

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.