Nats Technical Fault Disrupts Flights at Major UK Airports
Passengers faced lengthy delays and were stranded on aircraft due to an air traffic control system issue.
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A technical issue affecting air traffic control provider Nats caused widespread disruption to flights departing from major UK airports on 29 July 2026. Airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted reported that their departing services were impacted by the fault.
Passenger Experiences Amid Delays
Nats Technical Fault Delays London Airport Departures
UK air traffic control service engineers investigating issue impacting flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and other airports.
Passengers at Stansted Airport described being stranded on board Ryanair flight RK29. Aki Morioka, a passenger on the flight, stated that all travellers were kept inside the aircraft after its scheduled 13:15 departure was delayed. Morioka reported that information regarding a potential five-hour delay was only provided by cabin crew when directly asked, with no initial announcement from the captain beyond a general mention of an air traffic control issue.
A spokesperson for Heathrow Airport confirmed the situation, stating: "The air traffic control service Nats is experiencing a technical issue which is impacting departing flights at UK airports. Arriving flights are not currently impacted. We are supporting our local Nats team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."
Travellers on inbound flights also reported significant delays. One passenger waiting to fly to Stansted from Bergerac, France, described being on the runway for 1.5 hours without updates. This individual noted that some passengers had disembarked due to the prolonged wait and lack of information from the captain regarding potential departure times.
Air traffic control fault grounds UK departures
National Air Traffic Services investigates technical issue impacting flights from Heathrow and Gatwick.
Advice for Travellers
In response to the disruptions, passengers were advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information before travelling to any airport. The full extent of the resolution and the total number of affected flights were not immediately clear.
Questions this report answers
+What caused the flight disruptions on 29 July 2026?
The disruptions were caused by a technical issue experienced by the air traffic control provider Nats. This fault specifically impacted flights departing from major UK airports, leading to significant delays and passengers being stranded.
+Which airports were affected by the Nats technical fault?
Major UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted reported disruptions to their departing flights. Passengers at these locations, and those on inbound flights facing delays, were affected by the air traffic control system issue.
+What advice were passengers given?
Passengers were strongly advised to check their flight status directly with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport. This was to ensure they had the most up-to-date information regarding potential delays or cancellations.
WE FILE
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