Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJoanna Plucinska & Sam HallWednesday 09 September 2026 12:08 BSTFlights grounded at UK airports including Heathrow due to air traffic control glitchWidespread travel disruption has continued across the UK following a major technical fault at the National Air Traffic Service, which forced the cancellation of 1,300 flights on Tuesday.Tens of thousands of passengers face ongoing delays and further cancellations on Wednesday at major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and Stansted.Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary expects losses of up to £6 million after cancelling 260 flights on Tuesday, with a further 30 cancellations anticipated on Wednesday.Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is set to hold talks with Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe before addressing MPs in the House of Commons.Mr Rolfe apologised for the failure during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, but declined to answer questions regarding whether he would resign.In fullHeathrow and Gatwick delays live: Hundreds more flights cancelled as air traffic control bosses grilled by ministers over ‘technical glitch’More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in