Story United Kingdom Accidents & Disasters Heathrow

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

2 outlets 3 reports Published Sep 8, 2026

United Kingdom

What to know

NATS, the provider of air traffic control services at Heathrow, first reported the problem around 9 a.m. ET and resolved the issue hours later.S1
Some passengers were left stuck on stationary planes for more than four hours - only for their flight to then be cancelledS2
A spokesperson for the travel hub said it expects flight disruption to continue 'for the rest of the day'S3

Assembled from source summaries.

Timeline · newest first

1mo Toronto

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

NATS, the provider of air traffic control services at Heathrow, first reported the problem around 9 a.m. ET and resolved the issue hours later.

1mo Manchestereveningnews

'Pure chaos' at Manchester Airport as air traffic control issue sees more than 100 flights delayed

Some passengers were left stuck on stationary planes for more than four hours - only for their flight to then be cancelled

1mo Manchestereveningnews

Manchester Airport chaos sees 19 flights cancelled and dozens delayed with easyjet and Ryanair hardest hit

A spokesperson for the travel hub said it expects flight disruption to continue 'for the rest of the day'

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

United Kingdom Accidents & Disasters Heathrow

2 outlets 3 reports Published Sep 8, 2026

What to know

NATS, the provider of air traffic control services at Heathrow, first reported the problem around 9 a.m. ET and resolved the issue hours later.S1
Some passengers were left stuck on stationary planes for more than four hours - only for their flight to then be cancelledS2
A spokesperson for the travel hub said it expects flight disruption to continue 'for the rest of the day'S3

Assembled from source summaries.

Timeline · newest first

1mo Toronto

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

1mo Manchestereveningnews

'Pure chaos' at Manchester Airport as air traffic control issue sees more than 100 flights delayed

1mo Manchestereveningnews

Manchester Airport chaos sees 19 flights cancelled and dozens delayed with easyjet and Ryanair hardest hit

Sources · 3 citations

S1 Toronto 1 report · EN

S2 S3 ManchestereveningnewsLead 2 reports · EN

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Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

What to know

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

'Pure chaos' at Manchester Airport as air traffic control issue sees more than 100 flights delayed

Manchester Airport chaos sees 19 flights cancelled and dozens delayed with easyjet and Ryanair hardest hit

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Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

What to know

Hundreds of UK flights delayed, cancelled due to Heathrow Airport air traffic control technical issue

'Pure chaos' at Manchester Airport as air traffic control issue sees more than 100 flights delayed

Manchester Airport chaos sees 19 flights cancelled and dozens delayed with easyjet and Ryanair hardest hit

Sources · 3 citations

Related stories

M6 Motorway Closed Following Van Fire and Diesel Spill in Birmingham

Heathrow passengers ‘vomited blood’ after tear gas sprayed near cafe, court told

Paddington fire LIVE as trains to Heathrow Airport cancelled

Search Underway for Missing Indian Tourists in Nepal

Other developing stories in United Kingdom

Enzo Maresca explains Manchester City call that backfired vs Brighton - 'Good idea'

Mikel Arteta confirms Declan Rice in productive Arsenal contract talks: 'Matter of time'

Michael Carrick's Future at Manchester United Hinges on Chelsea Clash

Julio Enciso has decisive say in topsy-turvy draw between Hull and Ipswich

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