Cyberattack ruled out in UK air traffic glitch that disrupts hundreds of flights

UK air travellers faced disruptions on Wednesday as nearly 400 flights were cancelled across the country due to a technical glitch that caused widespread inconvenience. The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) ruled out the possibility of a cyberattack causing the issue, stating they have "ruled it out" and would conduct a thorough investigation into the cause.

Nearly 1,746 flights were cancelled on Tuesday and another 399 on Wednesday, with the majority affected flights to and from London Heathrow, one of Europe's busiest airports. Over 330,000 passengers were impacted during the two-day disruption, with 155,000 flights cancelled and around 180,000 experiencing delays. Matt Ernster, 28, who was returning to Boston via Heathrow from his honeymoon in Paris, described the aftermath as "a gigantic, chaotic scene" and a "worst travel experience" he had ever had.

The baggage collection process felt "like an apocalyptic situation" and there were no hotels available within a two-hour radius. British Airways had to cancel nearly 550 flights, including 200 on Wednesday, affecting 85,000 of its customers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander ordered an independent review to determine the cause and ensure the air traffic control system can better serve passengers, reporting within six months.