UK air traffic control failure causes flight disruptions for Cyprus

A widespread technical failure in the UK's air traffic control system, operated by NATS, caused significant disruptions to air travel between Britain and Cyprus on September 8 and 9, 2026. The issue, which affected flight plan processing, led to the cancellation or delay of hundreds of flights across major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. Consequently, approximately 5,000 passengers traveling between Cyprus and the UK were impacted by the situation.

According to Hermes Airports, 30 flights involving Larnaca and Paphos airports were affected on Tuesday, with 16 flights impacted at Larnaca and 14 at Paphos. While many flights were cancelled, some were rescheduled for Wednesday. Hermes Airports describes the situation as dynamic, noting that while some operations have resumed, uncertainty persists regarding further schedules. Passengers are being advised to coordinate directly with their airlines to manage travel arrangements as engineers continue to work toward full system restoration.