London Airspace Closed Due to Major Technical Failure at NATS Control Center
London Airspace Closed Due to Major Technical Failure at NATS Control Center
London airspace has been closed this afternoon due to a major technical failure at the Swanwick air traffic control center, causing widespread disruption across the UK and Europe. The closure was confirmed by Eurocontrol, the EU-wide air traffic management agency, which stated that the London control area is “temporarily unavailable due to technical issues.”
NATS Confirms “Technical Issue” and Flight Limitations
A spokesperson for NATS, the UK’s air traffic control service, confirmed the issue, stating:
“As a result of a technical issue at NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre, we are limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety, which is always our first priority.”
The exact cause of the failure remains unknown, and no estimated time has been provided for full restoration of services.
Thousands of Passengers Affected
The closure affects all aircraft entering or exiting London’s airspace, including major international hubs such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City Airport. Thousands of passengers are facing delays or cancellations, with many flights grounded or rerouted.
Airlines Urge Passengers to Check Flight Status
Airlines are advising passengers to check with their carriers for the latest updates, as flight schedules remain highly uncertain. NATS has apologized for the inconvenience and said its engineering teams are working urgently to resolve the issue.
“We apologise for any delays this may cause. Our engineers are working hard to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we are working closely with airlines to help minimise disruption,” the NATS spokesman added.
Eurocontrol Monitoring the Situation Closely
Eurocontrol has issued a formal advisory and is coordinating with other European air navigation services to manage air traffic flows and avoid further congestion in adjacent airspaces.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as information becomes available.
