A major air traffic control outage struck the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 30, 2025, grounding and diverting flights across the country. More than 150 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or delayed. The disruption, caused by a radar-related software failure at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control center, lasted about 20 minutes but triggered a wave of delays and cancellations that continued for days. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with NATS CEO Martin Rolfe on July 31, 2025, demanding answers and action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Immediate Impact and Response
Flights have now resumed at all major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London City, Luton, and Southend. However, delays and some cancellations continue as airlines and airports work to clear the backlog. On July 31, Heathrow Airport reported 10 cancellations—4 departures and 6 arrivals—while Manchester Airport had 6 cancellations. Gatwick and Stansted described their operations as “stable,” but warned that some disruption would persist.
NATS (National Air Traffic Services) confirmed that the air traffic control outage was resolved by switching to a backup system within 20 minutes. There is no evidence of a cyberattack or any malicious activity. Airlines and airports are urging passengers to check with their carriers before traveling, as residual delays and cancellations are expected to continue for several days.
Official Statements and Stakeholder Actions
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has taken a visible role in the response. She met with NATS CEO Martin Rolfe on July 31 to demand a full explanation and ensure that measures are in place to prevent another outage. Alexander acknowledged the frustration for passengers, saying, “This was an isolated event and there is no evidence of malign activity. Passengers should check with airlines before travelling.” She emphasized that her department is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the public informed.
Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, confirmed the technical nature of the outage and praised the rapid response that restored systems. He said that NATS is working with airlines and airports to clear the backlog and return to normal operations as quickly as possible.
Airlines, including Ryanair, confirmed that normal operations resumed on July 31, but warned that some delays and cancellations would continue as the system stabilizes.
Scale of Disruption and Passenger Impact
The numbers highlight the scale of the problem. More than 150 flights were cancelled on July 30, with Cirium data showing 84 departures and 71 arrivals cancelled by 10pm that day. This represented about 3% of all departures and 2% of all arrivals across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. Thousands of passengers were stranded or delayed, with some flights diverted to European cities or forced to return to their departure airports.
The timing of the outage made things worse. It happened during the peak summer travel season, one of the busiest times of the year for UK airports. As a result, the backlog is expected to take several days to clear, with airlines and airports working overtime to re-integrate delayed and diverted flights into their schedules.
Background: A Recurring Problem
This is not the first time the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 has faced a major air traffic control outage. In August 2023, a similar incident stranded over 700,000 passengers. That event led to a comprehensive review and the introduction of new safeguards. However, the recurrence in 2025 shows that vulnerabilities remain in the UK’s air traffic control IT infrastructure.
The NATS Swanwick center, where the latest outage began, is a critical hub for managing UK airspace. The radar-related software failure that triggered the air traffic control outage highlights the importance of robust, fail-safe systems in such vital infrastructure.
Policy Implications and Future Steps
The outage has renewed calls for investment in more resilient IT and radar systems for UK air traffic control. Experts stress the need for robust, fail-safe infrastructure to prevent similar incidents. The UK government is already working to modernize airspace management through the new UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), which is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. This new system aims to reduce delays, improve efficiency, and support new aviation technologies.
The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are overseeing these modernization plans to ensure independent oversight and quick delivery. New regulations, known as the Aviation Safety (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025, will take effect from October 1, 2025. These rules are designed to strengthen reporting and enforcement in aviation safety, aiming to reduce confusion and improve compliance across the sector.
Expert Analysis and Perspectives
Dr. Junade Ali, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), said the incident appears to be a technical IT or software outage, similar to previous events. He emphasized that safety must always come first, even if it means closing airspace temporarily.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane highlighted the importance of modernizing airspace for the long-term resilience and growth of the sector. He said that these efforts will help reduce the risk of future disruptions and support the United Kingdom’s 🇬🇧 position as a global aviation leader.
Practical Guidance for Passengers and Industry
Passengers affected by the air traffic control outage should:
- Check with their airline and departure airport for the latest updates on flight status before traveling.
- Allow extra time for travel, as delays and cancellations may continue for several days.
- Keep receipts for any extra expenses, as some airlines may offer compensation or assistance.
Airlines and airports are working hard to re-integrate delayed and diverted flights into their schedules and clear the backlog as quickly as possible. They urge passengers to stay informed and patient as operations return to normal.
Official Resources and Where to Find Help
For the latest updates and official information, passengers and industry professionals can visit:
- NATS (National Air Traffic Services)
- Department for Transport
- Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Manchester Airport
These resources provide real-time updates, guidance on passenger rights, and contact details for further assistance. For more information on air passenger rights, the Civil Aviation Authority offers detailed guidance.
Looking Ahead: Investigations and Reforms
Investigations into the root cause of the air traffic control outage are ongoing. Authorities are reviewing the effectiveness of the response and looking for lessons to improve future resilience. The rollout of UKADS and other modernization efforts will continue, with full operational status expected by the end of 2025. New safety and reporting regulations will come into force on October 1, 2025.
ATC Outage at NATS Swanwick
More than 150 flights cancelled
Transport Secretary meets NATS CEO
Flights resume, delays continue
New CAA safety regulations take effect
If further vulnerabilities are found, the government may face more scrutiny and pressure to act quickly. Parliament could also become involved if systemic problems are identified.
Summary Table: Key Facts from July 30-31, 2025 UK Air Traffic Outage
| Feature | NATS Outage | Heathrow Cancellations | Manchester Cancellations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Impact | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Response | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Future Actions | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Date | Event/Action | Details/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| July 30, 2025 | ATC Outage at NATS Swanwick | 20-minute radar/software failure; >150 flights cancelled |
| July 30-31 | Disruption at major UK airports | Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, others affected |
| July 31 | Flights resume, delays continue | 10 cancellations at Heathrow, 6 at Manchester |
| July 31 | Transport Secretary meets NATS CEO | Heidi Alexander, Martin Rolfe |
| July 31+ | Ongoing backlog, delays expected for days | Passengers advised to check with airlines |
| End of 2025 | UKADS to be fully operational | Airspace redesign, modernization, resilience improvements |
| Oct 1, 2025 | New CAA safety regulations take effect | Enhanced reporting, enforcement, compliance |
Conclusion and Takeaways
The July 2025 air traffic control outage at NATS Swanwick caused major disruption across the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, affecting thousands of travelers and raising questions about the resilience of the country’s air traffic systems. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and NATS CEO Martin Rolfe have promised action to prevent a repeat. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the incident highlights the need for continued investment in technology and strong oversight to keep UK skies safe and efficient. Passengers should stay alert for updates, check with airlines before traveling, and use official resources for the latest information. The government’s ongoing reforms and new regulations aim to make future air travel more reliable for everyone.
Learn Today
NATS Swanwick → Primary UK air traffic control center affected by the radar software failure in July 2025.
Radar Software Failure → A technical malfunction in systems used to track and manage aircraft positions.
CAA → Civil Aviation Authority; UK body regulating aviation safety and overseeing compliance.
UKADS → UK Airspace Design Service; a modernization project to improve air traffic efficiency by end 2025.
Transport Secretary → UK government official overseeing transport, involved in addressing the disruption.
This Article in a Nutshell
A 20-minute radar software failure at NATS Swanwick caused over 150 flight cancellations in the UK on July 30, 2025. The outage disrupted peak travel and sparked government action demanding system upgrades and better safety regulations for resilient air traffic management by year-end.
— By VisaVerge.com
