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UK airlines slam air traffic control after second major system failure

Carriers have expressed frustration following another significant disruption to Britain's air traffic control systems. The incident has reignited concerns about the resilience and reliability of the national aviation infrastructure.

LSN World News · 21 September 2026

UK airlines slam air traffic control after second major system failure

Airlines operating across the United Kingdom have criticized air traffic control authorities following a second major system glitch that resulted in widespread flight delays and disruptions to passenger services.

The latest incident prompted sharp criticism from carriers dependent on smooth operations through British airspace. Budget carrier EasyJet stated that the disruption "once again calls into question the resilience" of the system, highlighting growing concerns within the aviation industry about the frequency and impact of such failures.

The repeated nature of these technical problems has intensified pressure on air traffic control operators to address underlying vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. Airlines have emphasized that such disruptions damage their operations, inconvenience passengers, and undermine confidence in the country's aviation sector.

The incident marks the second significant system failure within a relatively short timeframe, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated technical problems. Industry observers note that the cumulative effect of multiple failures raises questions about investment levels and contingency planning within the air traffic control system.

Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the cause of the latest disruption and implement measures to prevent further occurrences.