A technical issue at the NATS Swanwick air traffic control center has resulted in flight restrictions over London and disrupted operations at several airports across the United Kingdom, including Birmingham and Edinburgh.
All flight grounded in the UK due to air traffic control issues, all flights in the UK airspace being diverted. #manchesterairport @SkyNews @itvnews @GBNEWS pic.twitter.com/3vSWd3vlCf
— Matt H 🏴 (@MattHellen) July 30, 2025
Restoration of Services Amid Ongoing Delays
While the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) reported that the system has been restored, delays continue to affect flights nationwide, as noted by the BBC.
In a previous statement, the air traffic control center explained that controllers were limiting the number of aircraft flying over London to “ensure safety.”
Impacted Airports and Flight Operations
The issue, detected at the NATS Swanwick ATC, has had wide-ranging effects on all outbound UK flights. Airports experiencing significant delays include Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham.
The NATS initially stated that engineers were “working hard to resolve” the technical issue and later confirmed its restoration. However, the ATC acknowledged that flight schedule delays would persist.
“We continue to work closely with airline and airport customers to minimize disruption,” the NATS ATC said in their latest update.
Temporary Pause in Departures
Earlier, Heathrow Airport announced that all departures had been paused but later resumed operations. Similarly, Gatwick Airport reported that while flight operations had begun again, delays were still likely.
In a related development, Newcastle Airport has suspended all departures, stating that an update would be provided “in due course.”
As the situation unfolds, passengers are urged to check with their airlines for the latest updates and expected delays. The NATS continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.
