Flights between the UAE and UK could face further delays and cancellations on Wednesday as British airports work through the backlog created by a technical failure in the country’s air traffic-control system.
The disruption began on Tuesday, September 8, when National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK’s air traffic-control provider, experienced a problem with its flight-processing system. Major airports including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted were affected.
NATS later said the technical problem had been resolved, but warned that restoring normal operations would take time because aircraft and crews had been left out of position across the aviation network. Heathrow also warned passengers that disruption could continue and advised them to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
By Wednesday, FlightRadar24 data cited by AFP showed 177 flights scheduled for the day had already been cancelled, following about 1,300 cancellations to and from UK airports on Tuesday. Heathrow accounted for the vast majority of Wednesday’s reported cancellations.
What UAE travellers need to know
The disruption has a direct impact on passengers travelling between the UAE and the UK, particularly through London Heathrow.
Emirates issued a travel advisory for customers flying to or from the UK, telling passengers to regularly check their flight status, monitor operational updates and watch their email for changes before travelling to the airport. The airline also asked customers to make sure their contact details were up to date so they can receive notifications.
Etihad Airways has also reported disruption involving services between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow. Its affected Tuesday services included EY64, which was cancelled, while EY66 was delayed. EY68 was expected to face a longer delay after its inbound service was diverted to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Etihad said it was assisting affected passengers with accommodation and rebooking arrangements.
Some Etihad services on Wednesday were also operating late. The situation remained subject to change as the airline and airports worked through the disruption.
Passengers using Air Arabia’s Sharjah-London Gatwick route should also check their individual flight status before setting out. Air Arabia’s published schedules show services between Sharjah and Gatwick operating during September, but a published schedule should not be treated as confirmation that an individual flight is unaffected by the wider UK disruption.
Heathrow warns passengers not to travel without confirmation
Heathrow has advised passengers affected by the NATS problem to check directly with their airline and travel to the airport only when their flight is confirmed.
The airport said the NATS technical issue affected arriving and departing flights across UK airports. On Tuesday, Heathrow suspended arrivals for the remainder of the day, while departures later resumed.
That distinction is important for UAE passengers. Even after an air traffic-control system is restored, delays can continue because aircraft, flight crews and airport schedules need to be repositioned and rebuilt.
Why flights can remain disrupted after the technical problem is fixed
The immediate technical failure is only one part of the problem.
When flights are cancelled or heavily delayed, aircraft may finish the day at airports where they were not originally scheduled to remain. Crews can also reach working-hour limits or become separated from their assigned aircraft.
Airlines then have to reorganise aircraft rotations, crew assignments, passenger connections and airport slots. That can create further cancellations and delays even after the original technical fault has been fixed.
NATS acknowledged the recovery challenge, describing it as a complex process affecting the wider aviation network.
UAE passengers should check before leaving for the airport
For travellers departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah for the UK, the safest approach is to check the latest airline notification shortly before travelling.
Passengers should:
- Check the airline’s official flight-status page.
- Look for SMS or email notifications about changes.
- Confirm whether the flight number and departure time remain unchanged.
- Avoid relying solely on an earlier boarding pass or booking confirmation.
- Allow additional time if the airline confirms that the flight is operating.
- Contact the airline directly if a cancellation or major schedule change affects onward travel.
Heathrow has specifically asked passengers to confirm their flights with their airline before travelling to the airport.
The disruption is not being presented as a blanket cancellation of all UAE-UK flights. Individual services can have different operating statuses, and schedules may change as the recovery continues.
For that reason, passengers should treat their own airline’s latest notification and live flight status as the most relevant information for their journey.
What caused the UK flight disruption?
NATS, the UK’s air traffic-control provider, experienced a technical problem involving its flight-processing system on September 8. The issue disrupted operations at several major UK airports.
Are UAE-UK flights affected?
Yes. Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia passengers travelling on UK routes have been advised to check their individual flight status because the wider disruption can affect individual services.
Are all flights between the UAE and UK cancelled?
No. The disruption does not mean every UAE-UK flight is cancelled. Individual services have different operating statuses, so passengers should check directly with their airline.
Are Emirates flights affected?
Emirates issued a travel advisory for customers travelling to and from the UK and asked passengers to check their flight status and operational updates before travelling to the airport.
Are Etihad flights affected?
Yes. Etihad reported disruption to several Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow services, including cancellations and delays. Some Wednesday services were also affected.
What should UAE travellers do before going to the airport?
Passengers should check their airline’s live flight status and any SMS or email notifications before leaving home. Heathrow has advised passengers to travel to the airport only after confirming their flight.
Has the UK air traffic-control problem been fixed?
NATS said its system issue had been resolved, but the recovery of the wider aviation network was expected to take time because of the resulting backlog.
Could more delays happen on Wednesday?
Yes. Airlines and airports were still working through the operational backlog, meaning further delays, cancellations or schedule changes remained possible.
