UK Rules Out Cyberattack After Major Flight Disruptions
Airports across the UK continue to face delays and cancellations after a flight processing system failure.
The UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) CEO, Martin Rolfe, has ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack after disruptions in operations at British airports on Tuesday. Over 1,000 flights were cancelled and delayed due to air traffic control problems that began early on Tuesday and persisted for several hours. According to NATS, the issue arose from a problem with the flight processing system, although the company stated that the problem had been resolved.
Despite this, more than 150 flights were cancelled on Wednesday, and further delays were expected throughout the day. London's Heathrow Airport warned that some disruption may continue as airlines reposition aircraft and crew, advising travelers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport. Travel journalist Simon Calder expressed concern that the consequences of the ongoing disruptions would be "horrible."
The UK Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, summoned Rolfe for a closer explanation of the incident, citing concerns over the UK's air traffic network. Alexander emphasized the need to ensure that lessons are learned and that the systems supporting aviation are up to the task. Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, reported that at least 150,000 passengers using its services experienced delays of up to eight hours, with 200 flights cancelled.
The airline demanded that NatS CEO Rolfe resign, a request he has not yet accepted. Rolfe acknowledged taking full responsibility for the incident but did not disclose whether he was considering stepping down. NATS operates air traffic control services at 15 UK airports and is a public-private partnership, partially owned by airlines, pension funds, and the government.
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