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‘No lessons have been learned’: Airlines furious after another technical glitch cancels flights | UK News

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Airlines have reacted furiously after a technical glitch in air traffic control systems led to more than 150 flight cancellations.

The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has apologised for the IT problems – and said systems were back up and running 20 minutes after the “radar-related issue” was detected at 4.05pm.

But with thousands of passengers suffering extensive travel disruption, during one of the busiest times of the year, airline executives have warned this isn’t good enough.

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1:01

Departures resume after ATC problem

Ryanair’s chief operating officer Neal McMahon has called for NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe to resign – and claimed Wednesday’s incident was “utterly unacceptable”.

He said: “It is outrageous that passengers are once again being hit with delays and disruption due to Martin Rolfe’s continued mismanagement of NATS.

“It is clear that no lessons have been learnt since the August 2023 NATS system outage, and passengers continue to suffer as a result of Martin Rolfe’s incompetence.”

Mr McMahon was referring to a glitch that affected more than 700,000 passengers two years ago – and said that, if Mr Rolfe refuses to step down, the government should intervene.

“Heidi Alexander must act without delay to remove Martin Rolfe and deliver urgent reform of NATS’ shambolic ATC service, so that airlines and passengers are no longer forced to endure these preventable delays caused by persistent NATS failures,” he added.

The Department for Transport says Ms Alexander does not have any direct control over NATS – and no powers over staffing decisions at the service.

Image:
Martin Rolfe in 2023. Pic: PA

EasyJet’s chief operating officer David Morgan added: “It’s extremely disappointing to see an ATC failure once again causing disruption to our customers at this busy and important time of year for travel.

“While our priority today is supporting our customers, we will want to understand from NATS what steps they are taking to ensure issues don’t continue.”

NATS is yet to comment on the calls for Mr Rolfe’s resignation – but has stressed that the glitch is not believed to be “cyber related”.

“This was a radar-related issue which was resolved by quickly switching to the back-up system during which time we reduced traffic to ensure safety,” a spokesperson had said.

Departures at airports across the country have now resumed – but passengers are being urged to check with their airline before heading to terminals.

Read more from Sky News:
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US Federal Reserve defies calls to cut interest rates

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5:06

Travel expert: This is a major outage

John Carr, from Stourbridge, was on his way from Heathrow to Norway to help arrange his brother’s wedding when he discovered his flight was cancelled after checking in.

“I’m pretty gutted,” he said. “We’ve got loads of stuff in the suitcases to set up the venue, because we’re obviously flying to Norway. We’ve got the wedding rehearsal to do. It’s quite stressful.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for an urgent investigation and also referred to the “utterly unacceptable” disruption two years earlier.

“With thousands of families preparing to go on a well-earned break, this just isn’t good enough. The public deserve to have full confidence in such a vital piece of national infrastructure.”

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Flights departing or arriving at a UK airport, or aircraft operated by a UK airline arriving in the EU, are subject to rules concerning delays or cancellations.

Airlines may have to provide compensation, although there are exemptions for “extraordinary circumstances”, according to the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority.



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More Than 30 New Flights Cancelled Across Canada as Air Canada, WestJet, and Others Face Disruptions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec Due to Adverse Weather

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Monday, August 4, 2025

Over 30 new flights have been cancelled today in Canada due to severe weather in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec that is disrupting operations for Air Canada, WestJet, and other airlines. Strong winds, smog, and poor visibility have been hindering airlines’ abilities to stick to schedules, leading to widespread cancellations and delays. In the northeastern region of Canada, the overwhelming storms have been adding to operational difficulties as services, both domestic and international, are significantly impacted. In addition, the persistent storms are creating more operational headaches.

More than 35 flights have been cancelled across Canada today, as adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, smog, and poor visibility, have severely disrupted air travel. Major carriers such as Air Canada, WestJet, and several others are facing significant travel disruptions on routes in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. At Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, 22 flights were cancelled (with 7% of Air Canada’s flights and 9% of WestJet’s flights affected), and 101 flights have been delayed, impacting a variety of domestic and international services. Similarly, Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia experienced 7 cancellations and 47 delays, with Air Canada and WestJet once again seeing the most significant disruptions. At Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec, 6 flights were cancelled (including 40% of Jazz Airlines’ flights) and 5 flights were delayed due to adverse conditions. These weather disturbances have made it difficult for airlines to maintain their schedules, leaving passengers stranded and awaiting rebookings as the stormy weather continues to impact operations across the country.

Flight Cancellations and Delays Due to Weather

The weather disturbances, including strong winds, smog, and poor visibility, have forced several airlines to cancel scheduled flights, leading to widespread travel disruptions.

At Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, 22 flights have been cancelled, and 101 flights have been delayed. Air Canada and WestJet, two of the largest carriers in the country, have reported the highest number of cancellations, with Air Canada alone accounting for 7% of the cancellations. Similarly, Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia has seen 7 cancellations and 47 delays. Adverse conditions, particularly strong winds and low visibility, have grounded several flights, especially on international and regional routes.

In Quebec, particularly at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport, 6 flights have been cancelled, and 5 flights have been delayed due to weather-related disruptions. Heavy winds and low visibility have made it difficult for airlines to maintain their schedules, further compounding the travel issues throughout the day.

Airlines Affected

  • Air Canada has experienced significant disruptions, with flights delayed across several routes in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. Cancellations are primarily affecting both domestic and international flights, as the airline works to mitigate the impact of the weather conditions.
  • WestJet has also been heavily impacted, with multiple routes cancelled, including some connecting Ontario to British Columbia. Their regional services in Quebec have also been disrupted.
  • Other airlines, including Jazz, Porter Airlines, Air Transat, and American Airlines, have also seen cancellations. Air Canada Rouge, a subsidiary of Air Canada, reported cancellations on several routes, including those connecting to international destinations.

Cause of Disruptions

The disruptions are mainly attributed to poor weather conditions, including smog in Ontario, heavy winds in British Columbia, and a combination of rain and fog in Quebec. These conditions have made it challenging for planes to land safely, resulting in the cancellations. The weather has also led to a backlog of passengers at airports, as several flights have been delayed or rescheduled.

Impact on Travelers

The impact on travelers has been considerable. Many passengers have been left stranded at airports in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, awaiting rebooking on later flights. Airport staff are working tirelessly to assist affected passengers, but long wait times and crowded terminals are expected to persist as airlines try to accommodate those whose flights have been disrupted.

Looking Ahead

While the weather is expected to improve over the next few hours, the ripple effect from today’s cancellations may continue into tomorrow. Travelers are advised to check with airlines for updates on their flights and be prepared for potential delays and further cancellations.

Both Air Canada and WestJet are actively working on rebooking affected passengers, with priority given to those whose flights have been cancelled due to weather. Airline representatives have urged travelers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport.

More than 30 new flights have been cancelled across Canada today as Air Canada, WestJet, and other airlines face significant disruptions in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec due to adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, smog, and poor visibility, which have led to unsafe flying conditions.

More than 30 flights have been cancelled today across key airports in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. Air Canada, WestJet, and other airlines continue to experience significant disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for further travel impacts, as airlines work to recover from the delays and cancellations caused by the stormy weather across Canada.



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India Becomes World’s 5th Largest Air Travel Market in 2024

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The International Airport Transport Association (IATA), which represents around 350 airlines, on Monday released the latest edition of the World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) for 2024.

Last Updated : 04 August 2025, 16:02 IST

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American Airlines Cancels Over 50 Flights, Disrupting Travel Across US

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Monday, August 4, 2025

Severe weather affecting certain travel corridors has resulted in American Airlines canceling in excess of 50 flights across several major U.S. airports. The active weather consisting of thunderstorms, strong winds, and low visibility has caused widespread delays and cancellations, predominantly of departures from Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Florida, Kansas, and Georgia. All passengers are advised to monitor their flights as weather issues are expected to disrupt travel plans for the rest of the day.

Due to severe weather conditions, over 50 American Airlines flights have been canceled, representing 1% of the airline’s schedule, while 344 flights, or 9%, have been delayed. The disruptions primarily affect major airports, including Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (KDFW), LaGuardia (KLGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Orlando International (KMCO), and Kansas City International (KMCI). Thunderstorms, high winds, and poor visibility have led to unsafe travel conditions, causing cancellations and delays on routes such as Dallas/Fort Worth (KDFW) to New York, Florida, and Kansas, as well as other flights to and from Miami, Atlanta, and Greenville/Spartanburg. Travelers are urged to monitor their flight status and take advantage of rebooking options available for those affected by these disruptions.

Flight Cancellations and Delays:

The following airports are among the most affected by the widespread cancellations:

  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): As the hub for American Airlines, this airport has seen the majority of canceled flights. Many passengers traveling from Dallas to destinations like New York, Florida, and Kansas faced delays or rerouting.
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Reagan National Airport (DCA): Airports in New York and Washington, D.C. have experienced significant travel delays due to the storm system affecting flights between these locations and major U.S. cities.
  • Orlando International Airport (MCO), Tampa International Airport (TPA), and Miami International Airport (MIA): Florida-based flights have been among those hardest hit, with more than 10 flights canceled, leaving passengers stranded.
  • Kansas City International Airport (MCI): The Midwest has also been impacted, with several departures from Kansas City delayed or canceled. Flights to and from Texas were especially affected.
  • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL): Georgia has been another region heavily impacted, with travelers experiencing disruptions due to the bad weather.

Reasons for Cancellations

The weather system causing the cancellations includes thunderstorms, high winds, and poor visibility that have made it unsafe for planes to take off and land. These conditions have created a ripple effect, with delays building up throughout the day.

Passenger Impact:

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to check with American Airlines for the latest updates and rebooking options. Some travelers were informed of the cancellations via email or text message, while others learned of the disruption upon arriving at the airport.

In light of the ongoing storm, American Airlines has been working to rebook as many passengers as possible, though limited seat availability and continued bad weather could further impact travel.

What Travelers Should Know:

  • Ticket Rebooking: American Airlines is offering passengers the opportunity to rebook flights without additional charges for those affected by cancellations.
  • Refunds: For passengers who choose not to travel, American Airlines is providing full refunds.
  • Flight Status: Travelers are encouraged to check their flight status on the American Airlines website or mobile app to stay updated on delays and cancellations.
  • Weather Conditions: Airlines are expected to adjust their schedules as weather conditions evolve, with the possibility of more cancellations as the storm continues.

Severe weather has led to the cancellation of 50 American Airlines flights and delays of 344 others, disrupting travel across the U.S. The disruptions, caused by thunderstorms, high winds, and poor visibility, are impacting key airports and flights nationwide.

As American Airlines works to mitigate the effects of the severe weather, travelers should anticipate continued disruptions in flight schedules. With over 50 flights canceled and travel impacted across five states, the airline is focusing on minimizing delays and assisting passengers with rebooking and refunds. However, the situation remains fluid, and travelers are advised to stay informed and flexible as they navigate through this challenging period.



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