Heathrow Airport flight chaos continues after air traffic glitch - everything we know so far
The radar system failure is impacting a number of flights from airlines including EasyJet, Ryan Air, British Airways and more.
Heathrow Airport is experiencing significant flight delays and cancellations this morning after a technical outage at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) triggered widespread disruption across UK airspace.
The issue, stemming from a radar system failure at NATS’ Swanwick control centre, grounded flights for about 20 minutes yesterday afternoon, causing a domino effect that continues into today (31st July).
At least 150 flights were cancelled across UK airports on Wednesday, with Heathrow worst affected, with 29 departures and 17 arrivals cancelled.
Although NATS has restored its systems and normal flight capacity is resuming, British Airways is operating at reduced throughput (32 flights per hour instead of the usual 45 per hour) until late evening, exacerbating the backlog.
UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander is meeting with NATS CEO Martin Rolfe today to investigate the recurring technical failures, with airlines like Ryanair and easyJet demanding accountability and raising questions about system resilience.
What to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled
Passengers facing delays or cancellations at Heathrow should follow these steps:
- Check your airline or Heathrow Airport official website or flight‑tracker app for real‑time updates.
- If your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours and due to an issue under the airline’s control, you may be entitled to compensation, a refund or re‑routing option.
- If the disruption is deemed an “extraordinary circumstance” (such as this radar failure beyond airline control) you are not eligible for statutory compensation, but airlines are still obliged to provide meals, refreshments, accommodation, and re‑booking support where necessary.
- Keep receipts and documentation, and if denied compensation, you can appeal via the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or check your travel insurance as many policies cover long delays or missed connections
- Stay informed via official updates and follow airport announcements, staff guidance, or airline customer service lines for assistance.
As operations slowly return to normal, travellers are advised to check flight statuses, understand their rights under UK261, and prepare for a continued backlog for the rest of today and possibly into tomorrow as airlines and airports work to recover capacity.