Air traffic control systems across the UK experienced a major technical issue, causing flights to be grounded at 10 airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, and Birmingham. The disruption left tens of thousands of passengers stranded as operations were halted. The problem affected both arrival and departure processes, creating significant delays for travelers.

The failure was linked to a malfunction in the flight plan processing system managed by National Air Traffic Services (NATS). According to aviation news outlets, the system failure occurred on Tuesday and impacted major airports in London. Airlines reported that the issue disrupted flight schedules and caused confusion among passengers.

Efforts to restore normal operations were ongoing as authorities worked to resolve the technical problem. The situation highlighted the critical role of air traffic control in maintaining smooth flight operations. Passengers were advised to check with airlines for the latest updates on their travel status.