Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#1

Post by contingencies » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 6:26 PM UTC

Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue
bbc.com

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#2

Post by dtf » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 6:58 PM UTC

NATS - the same system that crashed in August 2023 [1] due to an id clash, causing 2000 flights to be cancelled and days of chaos.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37461695

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#3

Post by doublerabbit » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 6:59 PM UTC

Including mine. I'm not angry because my flight was cancelled. It's a pain in the arse but what really infuriates me is the "We are terribly sorry" these PR releases give. I've been on hold for three hours with British Airlines and it's "we are sorry", no you're not.

"We are truly sorry for the ongoing flight disruption" is what infuriates the situation; when words have no meaning behind the phase. Pixelated hold-music I am sure is designed to make you rage further.

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#4

Post by earth-tattoo » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:00 PM UTC

[flagged]

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#5

Post by ktallett » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:05 PM UTC

doublerabbit wrote: post #3

Including mine. I'm not angry because my flight was cancelled. It's a pain in the arse but what really infuriates me is the "We are terribly sorry" these PR releases give. I've been on hold for three hours with British Airlines and it's "we are sorry", no you're not. "We are truly sorry for the ongoing flight disruption" is what infuriates the situation; when words have no meaning behind the phase. Pixelated hold-mus…

Do you expect them to employ enough staff to answer passenger calls for this rare occasion? That is not good business.

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#6

Post by Daviey » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:05 PM UTC

doublerabbit wrote: post #3

Including mine. I'm not angry because my flight was cancelled. It's a pain in the arse but what really infuriates me is the "We are terribly sorry" these PR releases give. I've been on hold for three hours with British Airlines and it's "we are sorry", no you're not. "We are truly sorry for the ongoing flight disruption" is what infuriates the situation; when words have no meaning behind the phase. Pixelated hold-mus…

My wife is currently at Gatwick, supposed to have taken off 2 hours ago, but no update.... The frustrating thing is the complete lack of information. I cannot comprehend how nobody knows what the situation is. I mean, is aircraft on the tarmac yet? Has it left it's previous destination yet? etc.

Worst part is, likely no compensation as it isn't the airlines "fault".

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#7

Post by 8by3 » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:12 PM UTC

dtf wrote: post #2

NATS - the same system that crashed in August 2023 [1] due to an id clash, causing 2000 flights to be cancelled and days of chaos. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37461695

I briefly thought you meant the issue was NATS - https://docs.nats.io/learn/core-nats

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#8

Post by illwrks » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:17 PM UTC

For anyone stranded, read up on UK261/EU261 and your airlines application process to be reimbursed. As far as I’m aware it’s not likely to happen automatically, you need to initiate the process (and record audio/video just in case proof is needed)

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#9

Post by ktallett » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:21 PM UTC

illwrks wrote: post #8

For anyone stranded, read up on UK261/EU261 and your airlines application process to be reimbursed. As far as I’m aware it’s not likely to happen automatically, you need to initiate the process (and record audio/video just in case proof is needed)

You won't get compensation for ATC issues, but you will be reimbursed.

Re: Flights cancelled at UK airports due to ATC issue

#10

Post by dylan604 » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 7:31 PM UTC

Daviey wrote: post #6

doublerabbit wrote: post #3

Including mine. I'm not angry because my flight was cancelled. It's a pain in the arse but what really infuriates me is the "We are terribly sorry" these PR releases give. I've been on hold for three hours with British Airlines and it's "we are sorry", no you're not. "We are truly sorry for the ongoing flight disruption" is what infuriates the situation; when words have no meaning behind the phase. Pixelated hold-mus…

My wife is currently at Gatwick, supposed to have taken off 2 hours ago, but no update.... The frustrating thing is the complete lack of information. I cannot comprehend how nobody knows what the situation is. I mean, is aircraft on the tarmac yet? Has it left it's previous destination yet? etc. Worst part is, likely no compensation as it isn't the airlines "fault".

Why the use of scare quotes? It's not their fault. The airline arranged for flight crew, had the plane available, yet something outside of their control is preventing them from doing the deed. It's no different to the airline if a sudden bit of weather came along preventing the flight from taking off.