UK air travel disruption: extended duration

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【Summary】UK air travel disruption to last for days as flights are canceled or delayed due to a technical fault in the air traffic control system. Over 1,500 flights were canceled on Monday and 5% of planned flights for Tuesday have been canceled. An independent review will be conducted, but there was no cyber attack involved. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses with airlines directly.

FutureCar Staff Aug 29, 2023 7:04 AM PT

UK air travel disruption: extended duration

The UK is currently experiencing widespread travel disruption that is expected to last for several days. This disruption is a result of flights being canceled or delayed due to a technical fault in the air traffic control (ATC) system. British Transport Secretary Mark Harper has stated that it will take some time to get people back to their intended destinations.

Data from an aviation analytics company reveals that over 1,500 flights, which is more than a quarter of all flights, in and out of the UK were canceled on Monday due to the ATC system's reliance on a manual backup system. As of Tuesday, 5 percent of planned flights departing and arriving at UK airports have been canceled.

In response to the situation, Harper has called for an independent review to address a problem of this magnitude. He has also clarified that there was no cyber attack involved in the technical fault. Some airlines have issued warnings to passengers about unavoidable delays and have adjusted their schedules accordingly.

Passengers planning to travel through UK airports are advised to check the status of their flights directly with their airlines before heading to the airports. This will help them stay informed about any changes or cancellations that may affect their travel plans.