Travel chaos at UK airports as over 1,000 flights canceled due to air traffic control issue

London’s Heathrow and Stanstead airports, as well as airports in Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland, among others, reported some disruptions. Nearly 300 flights were cancelled, according to Flightradar24.

Passengers walk through Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport after flights were cancelled because of a technical issue in Britain’s air traffic control system Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in London. (Ellie Crabbe/PA via AP)

Passengers at Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal sit after flights were cancelled because of a technical issue in Britain’s air traffic control system Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in Crawley, south of London. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

Passengers at Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal form a line after flights were cancelled on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 because of a technical issue in Britain’s air traffic control system, near Crawley, south of London. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

FILE- Heathrow Airport is seen from an airplane, Oct. 6, 2025, in London. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)