A computer failure in the British air traffic control system (NATS) at 11:15 AM on Tuesday, September 8, triggered a severe operational collapse in the UK's main airports, which ended up causing the cancellation of about 1,200 flights and affecting more than 65,000 travelers.
Although the error was resolved late in the day, the temporary freezing of the flow of aircraft has generated a gigantic domino effect on the routes, placing Lanzarote Airport as one of the island points most affected by the drag of delays and cancellations.
A minimum of 12 direct connections between Lanzarote and British airports, both arrivals and departures, were suspended by airlines due to their inability to guarantee take-off and landing slots.
The most affected destinations were London Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Bristol, and Glasgow Prestwick, and the airlines with the most cancellations were EasyJet, Ryanair, and British Airways.
Stranded passengers: It is estimated that more than 2,000 travelers on the Lanzarote route suffered the abrupt interruption of their trips, with families held up at the Guacimeta terminal awaiting relocation.
Impact and consequences in Lanzarote during this Wednesday
Although British control screens have returned to normal, the logistical consequences continue to be felt at Lanzarote airport.
Changes in crews and the accumulation of aircraft away from their bases have caused departures and arrivals with origin and destination in the United Kingdom to drag average delays of between two and six hours.
Furthermore, as the incident coincided with peak occupancy, the availability of seats on replacement flights is almost non-existent. Many affected tourists have been forced to stay overnight on the island for an additional two to three days awaiting available seats.
Multiple hotels and apartment complexes on the island have had to process last-minute extensions of stay for clients who could not fly, while transfers from tourist areas such as Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca are registering continuous rescheduling.
Airport authorities advise all passengers with flights scheduled to or from the United Kingdom to check the status of their connection with the airline before traveling to the airport.
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