UK airspace shut due to technical snag, air traffic control says 'operations returning to normal' after outbound flights impacted

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All outbound UK flights were impacted after the airspace across the country was forced to shut down due to an apparent technical snag with the air traffic controller on Wednesday. However, the controller, NATS, has now clarified that the snag has been repaired and that the operations are now returning to normal.

"Technical issue at Swanwick...Our systems are fully operational and air traffic capacity is returning to normal," NATS said on X. In an earlier post, it wrote, "Our engineers have now restored the system that was affected this afternoon. We are in the process of resuming normal operations in the London area."

While operations resumed and returned to normal, London Gatwick warned of possible delays in departures. It had earlier said there were no departures because of the air traffic control issue. In a new post on X, it said that although the technical issue has been resolved, there are "some delays at London Gatwick while operations resume". It also asked passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Meanwhile, Newcastle airport posted an update, saying, "An issue in London’s airspace is impacting national airport operations and all departures are currently suspended...We will provide an update in due course."

Passengers for Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports have been urged to check with airlines for the current status of their flights. Flights also resumed at the Luton airport but passengers have been warned to check with the airlines.

In a statement, Liverpool Airport said, "There is a UK airspace issue affecting flights across the south-east of the country and as a consequence departures from all UK airports that would route towards that part of the country have been temporarily suspended, including from here at Liverpool."

"Flights from Liverpool to the west, including to the Isle of Man, Belfast International and Dublin are still expected to depart. Arriving flights also appear to be unaffected at present. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for the latest information regarding particular flights," it said.