A technical fault at UK air traffic control provider Nats disrupted airports across Britain, including Manchester, Birmingham and London's airports, on Tuesday, with knock-on delays and cancellations continuing into Wednesday. The issue was announced shortly before 2pm and resolved roughly three hours later, but the scale of disruption means passengers should understand their rights to care, rebooking or refunds while schedules recover.

Total cancellations passed 1,900 by Wednesday as more flights were axed following the initial fault. Passengers facing delays are entitled to care and assistance from airlines, including food, drink, communication and overnight accommodation where needed, though the extent of this depends on flight distance and delay length. Those whose flights are cancelled and covered by UK law can choose between a rebooked flight or a refund, and can opt out of travelling for a refund if delayed more than five hours. However, compensation is unlikely since the fault is classed as an "extraordinary circumstance" outside airlines' control, meaning affected travellers may need to rely on travel insurance instead.