Air traffic control malfunctions cause temporary suspension of flights at London airports
European flights have been affected by delays due to a technical glitch at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) system on July 30, 2025. The incident, which occurred at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre in Derbyshire, caused a temporary pause in departures at London airports, leading to mass delays and cancellations.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have warned of disruptions affecting departure times on Wednesday, while Ryanair's chief operating officer, Neal McMahon, has criticized Nats for the delays and called for the resignation of its chief executive, Martin Rolfe. McMahon stated that this is not the first time such a technical issue has occurred, and it is a result of Rolfe's incompetence.
The outage lasted about 20 minutes but resulted in a backlog that took much longer to clear. Gatwick and Heathrow airports, along with City airport, grounded flights due to the issue. The UK Transport Secretary is aware of the technical issue and expects continued disruption, advising passengers to check with airports for updates.
Nats has reportedly solved the problem and is working to resume normal operations around London. A statement from Nats was released at 4.30pm, apologizing for any inconvenience caused. However, the issue at Swanwick is causing delays in flights beyond the UK, creating a global backlog.
This event follows a similar IT-related outage in late 2023, raising concerns about outdated and insufficiently resilient IT infrastructure at NATS. The ongoing disruptions have led to thousands of passengers' travel plans being disrupted, and airlines for Europe have stated that delays have become "silly", with just 56% of flights in Europe departing on time in the first week of July.
While Eurocontrol, the traffic control agency for Europe, has warned of these delays, no broader Europe-wide air traffic control disruptions are currently reported in relation to this event. Some flights at Gatwick Airport are expected to be subject to cancellation as it resumes operations. Passengers may be entitled to lump sum payments for flight delays and disruptions, but this is not directly related to the Swanick issue.
1) The Technical glitch at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) system on July 30, 2025, has not only delayed European flights but also raised concerns about the outdated and insufficiently resilient IT infrastructure at NATS.
2) Political discussions amidst the recent delays are increasingly focusing on the competence of NATS's chief executive, Martin Rolfe, following the criticism from Ryanair's chief operating officer, Neal McMahon.
3) Finance-wise, all affected airlines are suffering losses due to the mass delays and cancellations, with passengers potentially entitled to lump sum payments for their flight delays and disruptions.
4) As technology continues to play a vital role in modern transport systems, the events at Swanwick air traffic control centre highlight the need for better investment and maintenance in infrastructure to minimize future disruptions and enhance general-news of aviation safety. On the other hand, crime-and-justice implications may also arise from the numerous cancelled flights and disrupted travel plans. Meanwhile, sports events across Europe might wrestle with their own challenges as players and staff attempt to navigate their schedules around the persistent flight delays.
