London airport latest: Passengers left stranded as radar glitch cancels flights at Heathrow and Gatwick

Airports across the country have been hit by delays after a technical error at an air traffic control centre caused major disruption.

A radar-related issue affected flights across the UK as the number of aircraft which could fly in England and Wales was restricted, the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said.

The company had to limit the number of aircraft flying in the London control area to ensure passengers’ safety. Engineers quickly solved the problem, but thousands of passengers were left stranded or had their flights cancelled.

In a statement, London Gatwick explained the issue had affected all outbound flights across the country, with planes only able to land at the airport while the error was being fixed.

Many aircraft and flight crew were left out of position causing long delays during the busy summer period.

For the latest follow our live blog below.

Key Points

• Air traffic control was forced to limit the number of aircraft flying in the London control area following a technical issue in Hampshire
• The issue affected all outbound flights across the UK, but the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has since confirmed the problem has been solved
• Flights were diverted to nearby European cities as passengers also remained stranded on the tarmac at Heathrow
• Over 120 flights were forced to be cancelled with Heathrow Airport worst hit
• Have you been caught up in the delays or had your flight cancelled? Contact jacob.phillips@standard.co.uk

Live coverage has ended

22:12 , Jacob Phillips

The Standard’s live coverage has ended. You can read more about the ongoing disruption at British airports below.

Heathrow and Gatwick worst hit as radar glitch cancels 120 flights across Britain

No evidence that glitch was cyber-related, says NATS

21:53 , Jacob Phillips

A spokesperson for the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has just shared some more details with the BBC about the technical glitch on Wednesday.

They told the broadcaster it was a radar-related issue, which was resolved by quickly switching to the back-up system.

During this time, the spokesperson says, they reduced traffic to ensure safety.

There is no evidence that this was cyber-related, they add.

Over 120 flights cancelled with Heathrow worst hit

21:06 , Jacob Phillips

In its latest update, aviation analysts Cirium have revealed that over 120 flights have been cancelled across the country following a technical glitch.

There had been at least 67 departures cancelled across all UK airports by 7.30pm on Wednesday.

A further 55 arrivals were also cancelled.

London Heathrow has seen the highest number of cancellations so far with 38 flights grounded.

There were 24 departures and 14 arrivals cancelled at Britain’s busiest airport on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Cirium told the Standard the next worst hit airports were London Gatwick and London City Airport.

They explained that the other London airports had seen “minimal cancellations”.

Passengers left trapped on the tarmac for an hour at Heathrow

20:53 , Jacob Phillips

Gurminder Marwaha, 49, was left stuck on the tarmac for an hour at Heathrow Airport on Wednesday.

He told the Standard: “We were at the end of the runway. We didn’t move for a bit. The pilot came on and said there was a delay and said there was a delay and we should be moving soon.

“Then the captain came on 15 minutes later and said there was a radar issue and there would be no departures. They could not give an ETA.

“A wee bit later they came on and said the engines were being shut, the seatbelt signs were off and we could use the toilets if needed.

“The British Airways crew were fab and handed out water. There was a long queue of planes behind us but luckily we took off eventually. Others I don’t believe were so lucky.

“We were the first plane at the top of the queue. I think that is why we managed to get away.”

Planes queuing up at Heathrow Airport after during the technical fault (Gurminder Marwaha)

Family found out their flights were cancelled while on the tarmac

20:36 , Jacob Phillips

A man travelling home with his family said he was told his flight had been cancelled while on the tarmac in London.

Baptiste, travelling back to France said he did not know why his flight was cancelled.

He said: “We have no information. When we arrived, we were stopped on the tarmac and in the plane.

“We learned that our flight had been cancelled. We’re going to Geneva in Switzerland, so we’re trying to find a flight for tomorrow and a hotel.

“I don’t know why we’re in this situation, but we’re used to strikes in France, so we’re thinking that we’re not the only ones in Europe to be in a situation like this.

“This is our last flight. We left Polynesia, we went through Los Angeles and now we’re coming to London to get back down to Geneva.

“And we’re thinking it’s better to be on the way back than on the way out.”

Passengers were seen trying to find out if their flights were delayed at Heathrow Terminal 3 on Wednesday (Lily Shanagher/PA Wire)

Heathrow flight running four hours late to Pisa

20:07 , Jacob Phillips

A plane was left trapped on the tarmac at Heathrow for around four hours after the flight was unable to take off amid the technical glitch this afternoon.

Boris Redfern spoke to the BBC while he was waiting for his delayed BA flight to Pisa to set off.

He told the broadcaster: “We were scheduled to fly at 3.35pm. I’ve been on the plane for nearly two and a half hours and we have just heard over the tannoy system it’s going to be at least another 90 minutes before we get in the air.

“I was due to land in Pisa at 6.30pm and I’ll be arriving at 10pm.

“We didn’t really have any words for the first 60 minutes or so and then there was an hour long gap. We have had two or three updates about what’s going on.

“Nobody seems to have any idea what has happened from the air traffic control perspective.”

Government working closely with NATS to find cause of technical issue

19:43 , Jacob Phillips

The Department for Transport has released a statement following the disruption at British airports.

A spokesperson said: “While passengers should continue to check with individual airports for advice, NATS have confirmed their systems are now fully operational and flights are returning to normal.

“We are working closely with NATS to understand the cause of the technical issue and the implications for the resilience systems in place.”

The department noted that the Transport Secretary does not have any direct control over NATS and has no powers on staffing decisions.

Italian couple heading to Gatwick diverted to Paris and left waiting for 3 hours

19:24 , Jacob Phillips

An Italian couple trying to reach London Gatwick have been left stranded on a runway in Paris for nearly three hours following the technical issue earlier today.

Valentina Balsarin, 25, and her boyfriend Stefano, 26, first left Milan at 2pm GMT before their flight was diverted to the French capital.

Ms Balsarin told the Standard from a runway in Paris: “I have a flight to New York from London that is departing now.

“Now, after three hours we have been told that we are about to depart, so fingers crossed I’ll get to London soon, even though I’ve lost my flight to New York.”

The Italian explained that most people on the flight were very upset as many of them were also hoping to get connecting flights to New York.

The flight was finally about to take off again shortly before 7.30pm GMT.

Valentina Balsarin (right) and her boyfriend Stefano were trapped on a runway in Paris (Valentina Balsarin)

Passenger worried he may miss his brother's wedding after flight cancelled

19:14 , Jacob Phillips

A man whose flight was cancelled from Heathrow Airport has said he is worried he will miss his brother’s wedding.

John Carr, a chiropodist from Stourbridge, was on his way to Norway with a group of friends to help set up the wedding, for which he is best man, when he found out after checking in that his flight was cancelled.

Speaking at Heathrow, the 35-year-old said: “I’m pretty gutted. We’ve got loads of stuff in the suitcases to set up the venue, because we’re obviously flying to Norway. We’ve got the wedding rehearsal to do. It’s quite stressful.”

His friend James Hedges, also from Stourbridge, added: “We found out today; we’d already checked in and gone through the security checks.

“We were in the departures lounge, and we were literally sitting down having a burger when it came up on the (screen).

“Our flight was still showing as if it was leaving, and they were waiting to give us a gate and that that would be given at 4.45pm. When that time came around, it then switched to cancelled.”

James Hedges (left) and John Carr both from Stourbridge, whose flight was cancelled at Heathrow (Lily Shanagher/PA Wire)

BBC reporter left stranded on EasyJet flight from Gatwick for over two hours

18:50 , Jacob Phillips

A BBC reporter was left stranded for more than two hours while waiting for his EasyJet flight to be given clearance to take off from London Gatwick.

The captain of the flight told Tom Joyner and his fellow passengers that there had been an issue with the number of ground crew at Gatwick to deal with the build-up of aircraft.

"Things are chopping and changing quite a lot," the pilot explained. "Hopefully we’ll get going shortly."

London flight rerouted to Paris following technical glitch

18:35 , Jacob Phillips

A stranded passenger has complained that her flight from Greece to London was rerouted to Paris due to a technical issue on Wednesday afternoon.

Carly Young told Sky News her flight was rerouted to Paris, where they've been held for more than an hour.

She was supposed to be landing at Gatwick, having taken off from the Greek island of Kefalonia.

"The pilot has informed us that we could have quite a wait," she added.

Heathrow facing the highest number of cancellations so far

18:25 , Jacob Phillips

Eighty flights have been cancelled so far across the country following the technical glitch this afternoon.

Aviation experts Cirium have warned that 45 departures have been cancelled so far across all British airports.

There had also been 35 arrivals cancelled so far by 5.30pm on Wednesday.

London Heathrow has seen the highest number of cancellations so far, with 16 departures and seven arrivals cancelled so far.

There were also more than 16 flights en route to London Heathrow that had to be diverted to other airports.

Lib Dems call for full investigation into air traffic glitch

18:05 , Jacob Phillips

A full investigation into Wednesday’s air traffic control glitch must be launched, the Liberal Democrats said.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “It is utterly unacceptable that after a major disruption just two years ago, air traffic control has once again been hit by a technical fault.

“With thousands of families preparing to go on a well-earned break, this just isn’t good enough.

“The Government should launch an urgent investigation to ensure the system is fit for purpose, including ruling out hostile action as a cause.

“The public deserve to have full confidence in such a vital piece of national infrastructure.”

Transport Secretary warns continued disruption is expected

17:30 , Jacob Phillips

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I am aware of a technical issue which impacted Nats’ operations causing travel disruption this afternoon.

“I have been informed systems have now been restored but continued disruption is expected, and passengers should check with individual airports for advice.”

I am aware of a technical issue which impacted @NATS operations causing travel disruption this afternoon.

I have been informed systems have now been restored but continued disruption is expected, and passengers should check with individual airports for advice.

— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) July 30, 2025

Ryan Air calls for NATS CEO to resgin

17:29 , Jacob Phillips

Ryanair has called for NATS’ chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign after the air traffic control fault on Wednesday.

The airline claimed “no lessons have been learnt” since the August 2023 system outage.

Ryanair’s chief operating officer Neal McMahon said: “It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe’s continued mismanagement of NATS.

“Yet another ATC system failure has resulted in the closure of UK airspace meaning thousands of passengers’ travel plans have been disrupted.

“It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the Aug 2023 NATS system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe’s incompetence.

“If NATS CEO Martin Rolfe fails to resign on the back of this latest NATS system outage that has disrupted thousands of passengers yet again, then UK transport minister Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of NATS’ shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent NATS failures.”

British Airways forced to restrict number of flights at Heathrow

17:25 , Jacob Phillips

British Airways has said the number of its inbound and outbound flights at Heathrow is restricted to a total of 32 per hour until 7.15pm.

After then the flow rate will return to the usual level of 45 per hour.

London Luton Airport also confirms flights have resumed

17:22 , Jacob Phillips

London Luton Airport has confirmed that flights have resumed following the earlier technical glitch, but warned passengers to check in with their airlines.

A spokesperson told the Standard: “This was a national issue impacting departures across the UK, flights have now resumed but we recommend passengers check with airlines.”

Heathrow and Gatwick confirm flights have resumed

16:58 , Jacob Phillips

Heathrow and Gatwick airports have confirmed that, now the technical issue has been resolved, flights can take off once again.

London Gatwick has warned there will be delays while operations resume, while Heathrow has also advised passengers to check in with their airline.

A Heathrow spokesperson told the Standard: "Flights at Heathrow have resumed following a technical issue at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre.

“We are advising passengers to check with their airline before travelling. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

BA warns the vast majority of its flights are affected

16:51 , Jacob Phillips

British Airways said the technical issue this afternoon is “affecting the vast majority of our flights”.

The NATS said it is limiting the number of aircraft which can fly in the “London control area”, which covers most of England and Wales.

The technical issue relates to the NATS’ control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.

Air traffic control says engineers have resolved the technical issue

16:44 , Jacob Phillips

Air traffic control have said that its engineers have restored the system that was affected this afternoon.

Twenty minutes after it first announced the technical issue, The NATS has said that it is in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area.

However, delays are still expected across on flights up and down the country, with many still unable to take off.

ℹ️Technical issue at Swanwick

Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon. We are in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area.
(1/2) https://t.co/CI9ZV9Voir pic.twitter.com/g5XgVLgyQ6

— NATS (@NATS) July 30, 2025

Birmingham Airport also warns flights 'from many UK airports' suspended

16:40 , Jacob Phillips

Birmingham airport said “departing flights from many UK airports have been suspended”.

Several flights scheduled to arrive at UK airports are being forced to conduct holding patterns or divert elsewhere.

London Gatwick warns issue has affected all outbound flights across the UK

16:35 , Jacob Phillips

London Gatwick has warned passengers that flights are currently unable to take off from the airport.

The airport wrote in a post on social media that a technical issue has been affecting all outbound flights across the UK.

You can read the full statement from London Gatwick below.

A technical issue impacting NATS is affecting all outbound flights across the UK. There are currently no departures from London Gatwick while the situation is being resolved.

We are working with NATS to resume flights as quickly as possible. Inbound flights are still landing at… pic.twitter.com/kKfZyV0i99

— London Gatwick LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) July 30, 2025

Air traffic control limiting number of flights in London area

16:33 , Jacob Phillips

Air traffic control has explained the number of aircraft flying in the London area has been limited.

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) explained that its engineers are working hard to solve the problem as quickly as possible and help minimise disruption.

In a post on X, the NATS said: “As a result of a technical issue at NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre, we are limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety, which is always our first priority.

“We apologise for any delays this may cause. Our engineers are working hard to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we are working closely with airlines to help minimise disruption.

“At this stage we cannot say how long it will be before operations are back to normal. Please check with your airline on the status of your flight.”

ℹ️Technical issue at Swanwick

As a result of a technical issue at NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre, we are limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety, which is always our first priority.
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/HzBYPGcq7M

— NATS (@NATS) July 30, 2025