Heathrow and Gatwick delays live: Hundreds more flights cancelled as air traffic control bosses grilled by ministers over ‘technical glitch’

The foreign secretary has said chaos at UK airports after National Air Traffic Control (Nats) disruption is “frankly unacceptable”, as he said, “we can’t have this happen again”.

Ed Miliband apologised to the tens of thousands of passengers who had seen their journeys disrupted, after around 1,300 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled on Tuesday.

“This is frankly unacceptable,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“It was a problem at the National Air Traffic Service, but we can’t have this happen again.

“The Transport Secretary is calling in the head of the NATs, the National Air Traffic Service, this morning to get answers to this.

“Frankly, we’ve got to have our airports running smoothly and properly without those problems.”

Flights are operating at Gatwick Airport today following the widespread disruption across UK airports caused by a Nats technical issue, but delays are expected.

The airport said that flights have now resumed, but “we still anticipate that it will take time for our operations to fully return to normal”.

Gatwick has urged passengers to continue to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights.

Heathrow Airport today said they are resuming operations, after yesterday’s air traffic control glitch caused huge disruption to flights.

The airport said flights would be operating but “some disruption may continue as airlines reposition aircraft and crew”.

Passengers have been advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport and only travel if their flight is confirmed to be operating.

The airport said it has deployed additional staff across its terminals to support passengers and is working with Nats and airlines to restore normal operations.

As many as 246 flights had been cancelled at Heathrow Airport by 6am on Wednesday, according to FlightRadar.

Gatwick passengers faced 33 cancellations.

The chief executive of air traffic control provider Nats, Martin Rolfe, is due to speak with transport secretary Heidi Alexander on Wednesday as widespread flight disruption continues following a technical failure.

The transport secretary has summoned him to answer questions about the disruption to flights across the UK and Nats’ response.

She is also expected to tell MPs that a cyber attack was “categorically” not the cause of the fault.

Rolfe said the disruption was caused by an issue with Nats’ flight data processing system, adding that it was different from the system that failed during the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2023.

Around 1,300 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled on Tuesday, according to Flightradar24, with a further 177 cancellations recorded early on Wednesday, almost all at Heathrow.

Josie Donoghue was among the thousands of passengers who faced travel chaos yesterday.

She said she had to get off her flight to Ireland after spending three hours on the runway at Gatwick.

Ms Donoghue said: “Getting through that airport was like trying to get out of Alcatraz. We were trapped in there. We were told we couldn’t get out until the flights were cancelled, and then eventually they allowed us to get out.

“It’s just an absolute nightmare down there, it’s the only word I can use to describe it.”

Qatar Airways has warned passengers of delays and possible flight rerouting following a system failure affecting the UK’s air traffic control system.

Flights to and from UK airports, as well as services operating through UK airspace, are being affected.

Passengers have been advised to check the latest flight information through the Qatar Airways website or mobile app.

Malaysia Airlines has revised its operations after a widespread technical disruption to the UK National Air Traffic Services (Nats) air traffic control system on Tuesday disrupted flights at several UK airports.

Flight MH4 from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow on Tuesday was diverted to Manchester, while MH1 from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday was cancelled.

The airline will operate dedicated recovery flights on Wednesday.

Passengers affected by the diversion to Manchester have been told they can arrange their own accommodation if needed. Malaysia Airlines will reimburse hotel costs of up to £150 per room per night, as well as reasonable meal and local transport expenses, provided passengers keep itemised receipts.

Passengers are also advised not to wait for their checked baggage at Manchester Airport.

The airline said bags remain in its custody and will be flown to Heathrow on MH4D, where collection arrangements will be provided.

Affected passengers have been advised to check the airline’s latest updates for revised flight arrangements and travel information.

Nats’ chief executive officer Martin Rolfe has been under fire from Wizz Air and Ryanair after the latest issue which saw some passengers trapped on planes on runways for hours.

Neal McMahon, Ryanair’s chief operating officer, called on Mr Rolfe to resign, saying: “How many more failures do passengers have to suffer before overpaid failure Nats CEO Martin Rolfe accepts responsibility for his repeated mismanagement and resigns?

“Over three years after Nats’ catastrophic 2023 system meltdown, it’s clear that nothing has changed, with UK passengers once again suffering avoidable ATC (air traffic control) delays of up to eight hours today due a critical Nats ATC system failing.”

The head of Wizz Air UK told Sky News she was “beyond angry”. She said “urgent reform” of Nats was needed over “systemic” failures.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is set to speak with Mr Rolfe on Wednesday before she addresses MPs in the Commons for the second reading of the Civil Aviation Bill.

Luton Airport has said it is “open and operational” following flight disruption at some airports.

“Some flights may still be subject to disruption and passengers are advised to check their flight status directly before travelling to the airport.”