UK Flight Cancellations: Scotland, Northern England, and Northern 2026

UK flight cancellations have disrupted travel across Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland after National Air Traffic Services (NATS) suffered its second technical fault in a fortnight. The issue, reported at NATS's Prestwick control centre in Scotland, has led to severe delays and immediate cancellations on multiple airlines.

What Happened at NATS Prestwick?

The technical fault at NATS's Prestwick centre in Scotland caused significant disruption to flights departing and arriving at Scottish airports. According to NATS, engineers are investigating the issue, which is unrelated to the major incident two weeks ago at its England control centre that affected hundreds of thousands of passengers.

A NATS spokesperson said: "Our engineers are continuing to investigate the issue at our Prestwick centre in Scotland. Airports south of Manchester are broadly unaffected, however flights heading north and flights departing Scottish airports are now subject to some delay."

Which Airlines and Airports Are Affected?

Airlines including British Airways and easyJet have reported immediate cancellations. According to analysts Cirium, a total of 24 flights have been cancelled across UK airports so far. Many flights continue to operate, but passengers should check with their airlines for the latest information.

The disruption primarily affects Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England. Airports south of Manchester are broadly unaffected, but flights heading north may still experience delays.

Passenger Rights and Compensation

Under UK law, passengers may be entitled to compensation for flight cancellations and delays, depending on the circumstances. If your flight is cancelled, you have the right to either a full refund or an alternative flight. If the delay is over three hours, you may be eligible for compensation of up to £520, unless the disruption is due to extraordinary circumstances.

However, technical faults may be considered extraordinary circumstances, which could affect compensation claims. Passengers should contact their airline directly for assistance and keep receipts for any expenses incurred.

Key Takeaways

• NATS technical fault at Prestwick causes UK flight cancellations.
• Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England most affected.
• British Airways and easyJet report immediate cancellations.
• 24 flights cancelled so far, according to Cirium.
• Passengers should check with airlines for latest updates.

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