Full list of UK airports facing disruption after ‘technical issue’ with air traffic control

It's the second technical issue in a matter of weeks in the UK

Airspace is currently being restricted following an issue at the NATS Prestwick centre in Scotland, although the organisation said that this problem is unrelated to the issues earlier this month which caused major disruption across England.

Issues were first reported at Liverpool John Lennon Airport by the Liverpool Echo as Flightradar24 showed dozens of flights arriving and departing facing delays into the airport.

Meanwhile, Sky News reports that four other airports are being affected; Belfast International Airport, Glasgow International Airport and the airports of Newcastle and Leeds Bradford.

For a period this morning, Flightradar24 listed Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle as some of the most disrupted airports in the world.

A map of some of the most disrupted airports in the UK - red means most disrupted. Image: Flightradar24 screenshot.

Because the issue is affecting the NATS centre in Scotland, the disruption mainly concerns airports in the north of England and Scotland.

A statement released by NATS said: "We are investigating a technical issue at our Prestwick centre in Scotland. To maintain safety, air traffic regulations have been applied to manage traffic demand.

"Engineers are on site investigating and working to resolve the issue. The issue is unrelated to the technical problems experienced earlier this month.

"We apologise for the disruption and any delays to passengers’ journeys. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information on their flight."

List of airports in the NATS Prestwick area

It is worth noting that NATS controls airspace from north of Birmingham up to the top of Scotland, an area of 2.84 million sq km, the largest area of responsibility in Europe.

It also handles 42% of all aircraft movements in UK airspace.

The NATS Prestwick Centre controls en-route airspace covering Scotland, northern England and the North Atlantic.

Flights to and from airports across these areas can therefore be affected, although individual airports have their own local air-traffic-control arrangements.

It doesn't just control planes taking off from UK airports, but aircraft passing through, many on their way to North America from Europe.

However, when things go wrong, it can severely affect ground movements at UK airports in or close to the zone.

The airports in NATS Prestwick's zone of influence include:

Scotland

• Aberdeen
• Barra
• Benbecula
• Campbeltown
• Dundee
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Inverness
• Islay
• Kirkwall
• Prestwick
• Stornoway
• Sumburgh
• Tiree
• Wick

Northern Ireland

• Belfast International
• Belfast City
• City of Derry

Northern England

• Manchester
• Liverpool
• Leeds Bradford
• Newcastle
• Teesside International
• Humberside
• East Midlands