UK Air Traffic Delays: Your Rights

A major UK air traffic control fault caused widespread flight disruption on Tuesday 8 September 2026, with more than 1,000 flights cancelled and further delays continuing into Wednesday as airlines worked to get aircraft and crews back into position.

The problem affected NATS, the organisation responsible for managing much of the UK’s air traffic. NATS has said the technical issue has now been resolved and that flight safety was not compromised. However, some passengers may still experience knock-on disruption.

If your flight has been affected, here’s what to do.

1. Check your flight with your airline

Your airline should be your first point of contact. Check whether they've messaged you, their app, and their website before travelling to the airport, particularly while airlines are still recovering from the disruption.

If your flight is cancelled, your airline should explain your options for a refund or alternative flight.

Planning a holiday? Make sure you have single trip travel insurance in place, or annual multi-trip travel insurance for more than one holiday a year.

2. Speak to your airline if you’re delayed

Your airline may also have a duty to look after you while you wait.

For flights covered by UK passenger-rights rules, this can include food and drink after a qualifying delay and, if you are delayed overnight, accommodation and transport to and from the hotel. These rights apply regardless of what caused the delay.

The qualifying delay is generally:

2 hours for flights under 1,500km
3 hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km
4 hours for flights over 3,500km

If your airline cannot arrange this for you, the Civil Aviation Authority says you can make reasonable arrangements yourself and claim the cost back later. If you're going down this route, make sure to keep your itemised receipts.

3. Check whether you’re entitled to compensation

Being delayed does not automatically mean you are entitled to compensation.

UK rules normally allow compensation for some passengers who reach their destination more than three hours late. However, airlines do not usually have to pay compensation where the disruption was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" which are outside of their control.

Air traffic control problems may be considered an extraordinary circumstance, so check directly with your airline rather than assuming compensation will be available.

If your flight is delayed by at least five hours and you decide not to travel, you may also be able to request a refund for the unused flight.

4. Package holiday? Contact the package organiser

Passengers can have additional rights under the Package Travel Regulations. The CAA says that if a disrupted flight results in a package holiday being cancelled or significantly changed, the organiser may have obligations to offer an alternative or refund.

5. Check your travel insurance

Travel insurance is separate from your rights with the airline. You must exhaust all possible avenues of compensation or alternative transport before making a claim

The policies available through Direct Travel provide travel delay benefits only after a qualifying delay of at least 12 hours, subject to the terms, limits, and exclusions of the policy selected.

Check your Policy Certificate and Policy Wording before making a claim.

6. Still having problems? Check the CAA

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides official guidance on UK passenger rights.

If you have a complaint, contact your airline first. If it is not resolved, you may later be able to take it to an Alternative Dispute Resolution provider or, where appropriate, the CAA’s Passenger Advice and Complaints Team.

Sources

Published 09 Sep 2026

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