Passengers hit by the UK-wide flight disruption caused by the air traffic control system failure have been warned they are unlikely to receive compensation. The technical fault, which struck on Tuesday, led to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights and continues to cause delays and cancellations at London's major airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick.
The Civil Aviation Authority has indicated that airlines may not be obliged to pay out under current rules, as the disruption stems from an external technical failure rather than airline fault. This has sparked frustration among travellers, many of whom have spent hours stuck on planes awaiting takeoff or sleeping overnight on airport floors. One passenger described the scene at baggage reclaim as «pandemonium», while others recounted ordeals of lengthy waits with little information from staff.
Nats, the air traffic control provider, said the problem was fixed within hours on Tuesday, but the knock-on effect has been severe. More than 300 flights were cancelled on Wednesday alone, adding to the 1,300 that did not go ahead the previous day. Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been affected across the country, with disruption expected to persist for several days as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crew.
Martin Rolfe, the chief executive of Nats, has been given a week to report on the reasons for the technical failure. The incident has raised questions about the resilience of the UK's aviation infrastructure and the adequacy of passenger protection measures in such circumstances. Industry experts note that while airlines are generally responsible for compensation when they cause delays or cancellations, an air traffic control failure may fall outside those obligations.
Consumer groups have urged passengers to keep receipts for expenses incurred during the disruption and to pursue claims where possible. However, the likelihood of significant payouts appears low, leaving many travellers out of pocket. The situation has also prompted calls for a review of the compensation framework to better protect passengers in the event of systemic infrastructure failures.
For now, travellers are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules remain subject to change. The disruption has underscored the fragility of the air travel network and the wide-reaching impact of a single technical fault on an interconnected system.