UK air traffic control software glitch cancels 2,000 flights

UK air traffic control software glitch cancels 2,000 flights

Security Society

National Air Traffic Services confirmed that a millisecond-long software defect in the United Kingdom's air traffic control system forced the cancellation of around 2,000 flights on 8 September, affecting major hubs such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and others, and prompted a government review, according to BBC reporting. Earlier reports on 8 September said the outage disrupted operations at 15 airports and led to more than 1,000 flight cancellations, with airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet reporting extensive delays. Subsequent coverage noted that hundreds of thousands of passengers were stranded, NATS issued apologies and called for an investigation, and the fault also impacted Bristol Airport.

Actors

National Air Traffic Services British Airways Ryanair EasyJet London Heathrow Airport Gatwick Airport Stansted Airport London City Airport Manchester Airport Birmingham Airport Scotland airports

Locations

United Kingdom London Heathrow Airport Gatwick Airport Stansted Airport London City Airport Manchester Airport Birmingham Airport Scotland

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 70% Claims: 3
At a glance

The claim that an air traffic control failure disrupted flights at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and other UK airports on September 9, 2026, is partially confirmed. The claim regarding a technical failure in the United Kingdom's air traffic control system on September 8, 2026, disrupting operations at 15 airports is partially confirmed. The claim that a software glitch in the UK air traffic control system canceled 2,000 flights is also partially confirmed.

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Articles

September 18, 2026
1 total
UK air traffic control software glitch triggers cancellation of 2,000 flights
UK air traffic control software glitch triggers cancellation of 2,000 flights

BBC • 18 Sep 13:15

A millisecond-long software defect in the system that manages UK airspace caused widespread flight cancellations and prompted a government review.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 09, 2026
3 total
Technical fault at UK air traffic control disrupts flights at Bristol Airport
Technical fault at UK air traffic control disrupts flights at Bristol Airport

BBC • 09 Sep 17:32

A technical failure at National Air Traffic Services caused widespread cancellations and delays at Bristol Airport, affecting thousands of passengers and prompting apologies from NATS and airlines.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
UK air traffic outage leaves hundreds of thousands stranded amid flight cancellations
UK air traffic outage leaves hundreds of thousands stranded amid flight cancellations

BBC • 09 Sep 16:24

A technical failure at the UK’s air traffic control system caused widespread flight disruptions, prompting apologies from NATS and calls for an investigation.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center
UK airports face widespread delays after air traffic control outage
UK airports face widespread delays after air traffic control outage

CNN • 09 Sep 00:47

An air traffic control failure disrupted flights at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and other UK airports, leading to thousands of cancellations and ongoing delays.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 08, 2026
1 total
UK air traffic control glitch forces cancellation of over 1,000 flights
UK air traffic control glitch forces cancellation of over 1,000 flights

AP News • 08 Sep 21:48

A technical failure in the United Kingdom's air traffic control system disrupted operations at 15 airports, leading to more than 1,000 flight cancellations and extensive delays.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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