U.K. Air Travel Chaos: Hundreds of Flights Canceled, El Al Also Cancels Service

Widespread disruptions are hitting air travel in the United Kingdom today (Tuesday), after a serious technical malfunction was discovered in the systems of NATS, the country’s national air traffic control service provider. The issue is affecting incoming and outgoing flights at the country’s major airports, with consequences being felt beyond Britain as well.

According to reports, about 600 flights worldwide have already been affected by the malfunction. The situation has effectively created an air travel shutdown, making it impossible to depart from or arrive at the affected airports in Britain. Among the airlines impacted is El Al, which announced that its flights on the route are currently canceled due to the disruptions.

NATS confirmed that the disruptions stem from a problem discovered in its flight-processing system. In an official statement, the company said its engineers are working urgently to resolve the issue. However, it clarified that airspace capacity is limited and that even after the problem is fixed, a return to full operations is expected to take considerable time.

Heathrow Airport, Britain’s largest airport, also confirmed the disruptions and said it is working with air traffic control authorities to resolve the problem. Hundreds of flights have already been canceled at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted airports.

The impact is not limited to British airports. Airlines including British Airways and EasyJet are reporting disruptions affecting airport operations across Europe. As a result, many passengers have been left stranded in terminals, unable to continue their journeys and with no clear timeline for a return to normal service.