Air traffic control issue: more than 100,000 travellers impacted across the UK 

Yesterday, 8 September 2026, the BBC reported a significant flight disruption affecting flights departing the UK due to an air traffic control “technical issue”. Since the issue started, thousands of flights have been cancelled and more than 100,000 people have been affected by this technical disruption. 

The disruption is widespread across the UK, with airports in Ireland also reporting problems. Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham were among the worst affected airports. EasyJet cancelled around 200 flights, while British Airways cancelled more than 100. Ryanair said more than 65,000 of its passengers were affected, with some facing delays of up to eight hours.

And the knock-on effects are likely to continue even after the original fault is fixed. Cancelled and delayed flights can leave aircraft and crews out of position, while displaced passengers still need to be rebooked. This means airlines may take time to return to their normal schedules, with further delays and cancellations possible as the backlog is cleared.

We’ll take you through how to check if your flight has been affected, your rights when this type of disruptions happen and if you can claim for compensation. 

What are my rights if…

…my flight is cancelled?

If the airline you’re travelling with is UK or EU-based under EU law you are entitled to another flight or refund in the case of a cancellation – even in the case of “extraordinary circumstances”. 

If your flight is cancelled and you’re stranded at a foreign airport, ask the airline to get you to your destination as soon as possible. Contact the airline or speak to airport staff and ask them to arrange an alternative flight.

If you haven’t travelled to the airport yet, you should request a refund for the cost of your unused ticket. You can raise a claim using Resolver.  

Whether you’re entitled to compensation depends on factors such as:

– how much notice you received from the airline,
– the timings of whatever alternative flight was offered,
– and how far you were travelling. 

For flights under 1,500km you can claim up to £220 per person, and for more than 3,500km you can claim up to £520 per person. Even if the airline is not UK or EU-based, if you are flying from a UK airport you are also entitled to compensation should your flight be cancelled. Use our free compensation checker. 

When thousands of passengers are affected at once, getting through to your airline can be difficult. But think carefully before booking your own replacement flight. If you make alternative arrangements without giving the airline the opportunity to help, it may refuse to reimburse the full cost later.

Our advice would be to hold off until you’ve heard from the airline about the assistance they’ll offer, so you can be sure that you don’t end up out of pocket.

For more extensive guidance check out our guide to flight delays, cancellations and compensation. If you want to raise a claim you can use Resolver to do so. It’s entirely free and we don’t take any commissions if you get any refund or compensation. 

… I’m stranded at the airport?

If your cancelled flight leaves you stranded at the airport, and your airline was UK or EU- based, you may be entitled to food, drink and other assistance, although exactly when these rights kick in depends on the length of your flight. 

Even if you can’t get through to the airline or speak to staff, you can go ahead and buy reasonably priced food and drink and feel confident that this will be covered later. Keep every receipt and avoid unnecessary spending – alcohol won’t be covered.

You’re also entitled to a way to communicate, so will be refunded for the cost of your calls and accommodation if you have to stay overnight and catch a flight the following day. 

The airline should be the one to arrange this assistance for you. 

However, given the current chaos, it may be particularly hard to get through to them. Thankfully, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) advises that you do have a right to organise this yourself and claim back the costs later on. As with food and drink, keep all your receipts for accommodation and do not spend more money than is reasonable or necessary.

… my flight is delayed?

If your flight is delayed by more than two hours you’re entitled to the same assistance with food and drink at the airport.  

You can also claim compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late. The amount you’re entitled to will be calculated based on how far you’re flying. 

If you’re delayed by more than five hours and decide you no longer wish to travel, you’ll also be able to claim a full refund. 

You can raise a flight delay claim with Resolver using our free compensation claim tool.

… I’d booked a package holiday?

All package holiday providers should be members of ABTA, so you’ll be protected in the case of travel description. 

If your flight has been cancelled and you’re unable to travel to your holiday or return home, you are entitled to an alternative flight or a full refund for the price of the flight.

Check out our guide on making a holiday complaint or claim.

… I incur other losses? 

Unfortunately, because this incident is likely to be classed as an “extraordinary circumstance”, passengers won’t be eligible for extra compensation.

As with previous NATS technical failures – including the August 2023 system outage that disrupted over 700,000 passengers – airlines are only responsible for covering direct costs, like accommodation, meals and alternative flights. Even if you miss one or several days of work, you won’t be able to make a claim for lost earnings.

For further advice on your rights check out our travel guide on what to do when everything goes wrong. And if you do want to raise a flight delay or cancellation claim our tool is completely free. 

If you have any thoughts on this topic, or any other consumer issues you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us at support@resolver.co.uk.