UK air traffic control: Passengers face extra 5 days abroad

On Tuesday evening (August 29), it was reported the problem was caused by flight data received by National Air Traffic Services (Nats), with both primary and back-up systems responding by suspending automatic processing, chief executive Martin Rolfe said.

He told Sky News: “You will understand we have very complex systems, handling something in the region of two million flights a year and the safety of those passengers is incredibly important to us.

“We are not going to rush into saying what the cause is until we absolutely fully understand.”

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Mr Rolfe added: “I’m not ruling out anything at this stage.

“We are conducting an investigation, we will conduct it incredibly thoroughly.”

Many passengers are still waiting to return from their holiday while others are stranded in UK airports trying to get home.

However, late flights did depart throughout the night on Tuesday from Heathrow, as the Heathrow Runway account posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Due to continued recovery from yesterdays ATC outage there are predicted to be several late running flights tonight.

“We would like to apologise for any disruption this may cause.”

Made it back to Brizzle! Never been so grateful to be here – Chaos everywhere!! #airtrafficcontrol Big up gate 9! pic.twitter.com/DyX1g5GKDY

— the bath gardener (@thebathgardener) August 28, 2023

Passengers take to social media to react to severe disruption due to air traffic control failure

Social media has also been flooded with footage showing endless queues and children sleeping on the floor.

UK holidaymakers have been forced to stay abroad for an “extra five days”, while families have been given no other option but to attempt to drive home, being on the road for more than 12 hours.

But one account praised Hays Travel for its customer service, posting on X: “@HaysTravel stuck in Rome for an extra 5 days due to #airtrafficcontrol but absolute kudos to the Hays team who went above and beyond to help us out. Took the stress off us and were simply amazing. Thanks to Emma on the night shift and Victoria this morning.”

Responding to BBC Watchdog on X, this family said: “Yep flight cancelled yesterday. No other flight options!! So now 2 adults and 4 children we are driving from Bristol to Girona!! 17hrs in the car so far, 4.5 to go!! Wish us luck!!”

@indiasasha Uk air traffic control systems just HAVE to fail when IM due to fly, its always me ???????? #flightdelay #delayedflight #fyp #uk #belfast ♬ original sound – Indiasasha

There will be lots of other people who have been travelling for long periods of time, such as this passenger who wrote online: “I’ve never been happier to be home. 16 hours of travelling including 2 flights and a long drive home from London to Manchester. #airtrafficcontrol.”

“Finally back in the UK from the Netherlands by train, a casual 28 hours after my flight was scheduled to land! #airtrafficcontrol,” said another.

This user had been on a “long and stressful journey” to get home but gave some advice, adding: “Home in UK after long and stressful journey that left us stranded in Europe. 2 flights cancelled, lots of money spend on trains and then in the end managed to cross in Calais. If you cannot get your ferry tickets at first, pls try again as I did #airtrafficcontrol”

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There was more disruption for this traveller, who said they had “mammoth train journeys”, saying: “Our @Ryanair flight was cancelled from Beziers this morning. No alternatives given. Embarking on a mammoth 3 train journey Beziers- Montpellier-Paris-Calais. Then getting rescued by friend doing Dover to Calais round trip to pick us up for the 1.30am ferry.”

This customer doesn’t know when they will get home, as they tweeted: “Should have been flying home this evening from a brilliant family holiday in Fuerteventura, but just been told our flight home is cancelled and we are stuck here until further notice.”

Someone thanked Jet2 for its “fab customer service”, as they commented: “Arrived in Crete from Newcastle Airport. 

“No delays and fab customer service from @jet2tweets. Now to hotel and sleep ready for a fab week. #Airport #airtrafficcontrol #airtravel”