More than 1,900 flights have been cancelled following a technical failure at the National Air Traffic Services (Nats), prompting government intervention and calls for leadership accountability.
Key facts
- •Nats provides air traffic control services to 15 UK airports.
- •British Airways cancelled more than 190 flights on the second day of the disruption.
- •Brent crude oil prices surged to $100.68 a barrel, the highest level since July.
- •European gas stores are currently 67% full, compared to 79.5% at this time last year.
- •Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is meeting with the Nats CEO to address the failures.
More than 1,900 flights to and from UK airports have been cancelled following a system failure at the National Air Traffic Services (Nats). While the technical issue has been resolved, the disruption has extended into a second day, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has summoned Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe to provide answers regarding the incident.
By the numbers
Calls for Accountability
Yvonne Moynihan, managing director of Wizz Air UK, has publicly urged Martin Rolfe to consider resigning, citing this as the third major technical failure at Nats in recent years. Moynihan described the situation as unacceptable, noting that Wizz Air alone saw over 10,000 passengers disrupted by cancellations and delays.
Nats Response and Investigation
Martin Rolfe has apologized to affected passengers and confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, though he has ruled out a cyber attack as the cause. Rolfe stated that the organization has invested over a billion pounds in technology over the last 25 years and emphasized that his immediate priority remains restoring normal operations and ensuring system safety.
Market Impacts
Amid the travel disruption, global energy markets have seen significant movement. Brent crude oil prices rose above $100 a barrel, driven by escalating conflict in the Middle East, while European and British natural gas prices reached multi-year highs due to supply concerns and rising demand.
Timeline
- 28 FebruaryAir strikes by the US and Israel on Tehran began a six-month war.
- 8 SeptemberMore than 1,750 flights were cancelled due to the Nats system issue.
- 9 SeptemberDisruptions continued with 153 flights cancelled by the early morning.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Business.
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