Gatwick Airport flights cancelled due to staff shortages in air traffic control

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2023

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More than 20 flights have been cancelled, with others delayed or diverted because of a lack of staff in air traffic control at Gatwick Airport.

The airport apologised for “any inconvenience caused” and urged passengers to contact their airline.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport confirmed “22 flights have been cancelled” but said “the situation is however improving with an additional air traffic controller now in place.”

“The air traffic control restrictions are reducing as a consequence and more aircraft are able to arrive and depart,” they said.

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) had earlier said “air traffic control restrictions have been put in place” due to “a short notice staff absence” affecting the air traffic control team at Gatwick.

“We are working closely with the airport to ensure we can handle flights with as little disruption as possible and we apologise very sincerely to people who have been inconvenienced [as a result of unavoidable diversions],” they said.

The Sussex airport added in a statement: “NATS are a world-class provider of air traffic services and London Gatwick’s senior management recognises how hard the airport’s air traffic controllers are working to keep the operation moving.

“We are working closely with NATS to build resilience in the airport’s control tower to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”

One person complained on social media that a flight had been diverted to Bournemouth airport.

What are passengers’ rights when airlines cancel flights?

Airlines have an obligation to keep passengers comfortable in the event of a “significant delay” – with the Civil Aviation Authority setting out a clear definition of what meets this threshold.

You qualify for support if a short-haul flight under 932 miles (1,500km) is pushed back by two hours. This rises to three hours for journeys up to 2,175 miles (3,500km).

For long-haul flights going any further, four hours or longer counts as a significant delay.

In the event of a significant delay, airlines must give passengers:

• A reasonable amount of food and drink

• Refunds for the cost of two free phone calls, faxes or emails

• Accommodation for passengers stranded overnight

• Transport to a hotel – or their home

If airlines are unable to organise support in a timely manner, the Civil Aviation Authority says affected consumers have the right to make their own “reasonable” arrangements – but they must keep receipts in order to be reimbursed.

Typically, airlines have to provide compensation if their flights arrive three hours late – but staffing issues with air traffic control likely do not count because such issues are not their fault.

If you agree to travel on a later flight, the airline is no longer obliged to offer food, drink or accommodation while you wait. But they are entitled to a full refund if they decide to abandon their journey after five hours of delays.

Bank holiday disruption

It comes after the NATS control system for the entire UK was hit by a technical glitch over the bank holiday weekend, causing widespread disruption.

More than a quarter of flights to and from UK airports were cancelled, affecting around 250,000 people.

Cancellations continued for two more days as planes and crew were out of position.

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Rory Boland, of consumer group Which?, said: “It is unacceptable that some Gatwick passengers have been hit by further air traffic control problems so soon after the chaos a few weeks ago.

“This is not an issue caused by airlines, but they must meet their legal obligations to look after passengers and provide them with support during delays and help with refunds and re-routing – including with other carriers if necessary.

“To help end this cycle of miserable passenger experiences, the prime minister must play his part and prioritise legislation to give the Civil Aviation Authority stronger enforcement powers.”

UK

Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Manhunt after five people stabbed at event in southeast London

A manhunt has been launched after five people were stabbed at an event in southeast London, police have said.

Officers were called to Nathan Way, Thamesmead, at 4.19am on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Five people were found with stab wounds and were taken to hospital where their injuries are still being assessed.

No arrests have been made.

“Enquiries are ongoing and a cordon will remain in place throughout the day,” a Met Police statement said.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

UK

Three Iranians charged under National Security Act after investigation by UK counter-terror police

Published

7 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Three Iranians charged under National Security Act after investigation by UK counter-terror police

Three Iranian men have been charged with offences under the National Security Act in the UK, police have said.

The trio have been charged with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service between 14 August 2024 and 16 February 2025, following an investigation by counter-terror police.

The Metropolitan Police said the three men are Mostafa Sepahvand, 39, Farhad Javadi Manesh, 44, and Shapoor Qalehali Khani Noori, 55.

The foreign state to which the charges relate is Iran, police said.

All three men will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, the force added.

Sepahvand, of St John’s Wood, London, has also been charged with “surveillance, reconnaissance and open-source research” with the intention of “committing serious violence against a person in the UK”, according to a police statement.

Meanwhile, Manesh, of Kensal Rise, London, and Noori, of Ealing, London, have also been charged with “engaging in conduct, namely surveillance and reconnaissance, with the intention that acts, namely serious violence against a person in the UK, would be committed by others”.

Commander Dominic Murphy, from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, described the charges as “extremely serious”.

“Since the men were arrested two weeks ago, detectives have been working around the clock and we have worked closely with colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service to reach this point,” he said.

“Now that these men have been charged, I would urge people not to speculate about this case, so that the criminal justice process can run its course.”

A fourth Iranian national aged 31 who was arrested was released with no further action on Thursday.

In a separate unrelated probe, counter-terror officers arrested five Iranian men, aged between 29 and 46, during raids across various locations in Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon earlier this month.

Last October, MI5 director general Ken McCallum said the UK intelligence agency had responded to 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-backed plots since 2022, warning of the risk of an “increase or broadening of Iranian state aggression in the UK”.

UK

Two firefighters and one other person die after fire at former RAF base in Oxfordshire

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2025

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Two firefighters and one other person die after fire at former RAF base in Oxfordshire

Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire in Bicester, the fire service announced.

The firefighters died in the inferno at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, which now hosts historic motoring and aviation centre Bicester Motion.

The local fire service was called to the scene at 6.39pm last night.

Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters. Families have been informed and are being supported.

“Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.

“We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.”

Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently being treated in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement.

Footage shared on social media shows plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and flames swallowing the large building.

Ten fire crews attended the incident, with four remaining at the scene. The fire is still ongoing, but it is considered under control.

Local residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows shut, but this advice has now been lifted.

Bicester Motion said in a statement it would be closed today and over the weekend.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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