Monday, September 9, 2024 Gatwick Airport witnessed widespread chaos as over 100 flights were cancelled due to significant staff shortages in the air traffic control tower. This disruption affected both arriving and departing flights, leaving approximately 15,000 passengers facing delays and cancellations. Among the hardest hit was EasyJet, which has its primary base at Gatwick, with 64 of its flights grounded.
Other airlines, including British Airways, Wizz Air, Norwegian, and Vueling, were also impacted, leading to further cancellations and delays across their networks. The situation, while largely resolved by Monday morning, has left a lasting effect on both passengers and the travel industry at large. The source of the disruption at Gatwick Airport was identified as a staff shortage in the air traffic control tower, managed by Nats, the air traffic control provider.
Temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place as a result, with Nats emphasizing that these measures were necessary to maintain safety. The staff shortage was coupled with pre-existing restrictions due to adverse weather conditions across the UK and Europe, compounding the situation further. A spokesperson for Nats expressed regret over the disruption, explaining that the shortage was due to unforeseen staff absences and that efforts were being made to minimize the impact on passengers and airlines.
While the restrictions had been largely lifted by Monday morning, some delays still persisted, particular.