Flights at Edinburgh Airport faced massive disruptions on Sunday due to an IT issue impacting air traffic control, leaving thousands of passengers stranded as planes were grounded for several hours. The trouble began around 2:30 PM, prompting the airport to advise travelers of the situation via social media, stating, “no flights are currently taking off or landing.”
Passengers arriving at the airport found themselves overwhelmed as every available parking space was occupied. Many opted for rideshares to Glasgow Airport, which remained operational, with some EasyJet customers expressing frustration due to the lack of timely information from their airline.
The chaos unfolded during what is typically one of the busiest travel times at the airport. Airlines across the board, including Ryanair, easyJet, and British Airways, found themselves scrambling to accommodate affected travelers. According to flight data specialists, Cirium, Edinburgh Airport was scheduled to manage 303 flights on the day, equaling over 50,000 seats.
“We regret the inconvenience,” stated Air Navigation Solutions Ltd (ANSL), the private company responsible for air traffic control at Edinburgh Airport. The company clarified later on Sunday evening the technical issue affecting their system had been resolved at approximately 6:25 PM and flights were able to resume shortly thereafter.
Prior to the resolution, many passengers shared their frustrations. A traveler slated to fly from Geneva relayed their grim predicament to STV News, saying, “Once we were all onboard and doors shut, the pilot announced there was an issue. They have kept us updated back and forth. We have been stuck on the tarmac for three and a half hours.” Such sentiments echoed throughout the terminal as passengers with young children struggled. “The crew have been keeping children entertained and doing all they can but people are running low on patience now,” he added.
Still, the disruptions were not limited to the immediate cancellations and delays; numerous inbound flights from international destinations were diverted to alternate airports such as Glasgow, Newcastle, and Manchester. Notably, flights originating from cities including Istanbul and Gran Canaria found themselves on lengthy detours.
Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s busiest, normally handles approximately 40,000 passengers daily, and with such widespread ripple effects from the IT failure, around 5,000 passengers experienced canceled or diverted flights. By late evening, the airport had confirmed the situation had stabilized enough for departures to resume.
The problems at Edinburgh Airport come on the heels of other operational issues, as fuel tanker drivers have announced intentions to strike over pay disputes leading up to the holiday season. The combination of these challenges increases concern among airlines and travelers alike. Despite the earlier grounding, aircraft were slowly beginning to depart again as order was restored, marked by Ryanair’s flight to Cork leaving almost four hours behind schedule.
Passengers were urged to continue checking their flight status with respective airlines. “If you are currently at the airport please speak to our ground team who will be able to assist you with your travel plans,” urged Loganair, another airline impacted by the incident.
Some passengers still felt the heat of anger about missed connections and the uncertainty surrounding their travel plans. Andrea Racekova, who was traveling for necessary medical reasons, recounted her ordeal to the BBC as she awaited resolution on her canceled flight. “People around me are very frustrated, some of them have connecting flights to catch, so the general mood here is very tense,” she described, underscoring the stress many experienced.
Consolidation of flight schedules will likely carry on well beyond Sunday night as airlines work through the backlog created by the IT failure. Among the ensuing disruptions was the cancellation of the first Monday morning Air France flight from Edinburgh to Paris, likely complicate travel on one of the busiest international travel days of the week.
Under air passengers’ rights rules, travelers whose flights are canceled must be rebooked as soon as possible, even on competing carriers. Accommodations, including meals and lodging, are also mandated as necessary. This declaration offers limited comfort to those left reeling from confusion and commercial inconvenience.
Despite the disruption, Edinburgh Airport attempted to maintain transparency and keep its passengers informed, stating, "We would like to thank passengers for their patience and the continued trust they place on our operations.”
While air traffic control issues can arise at any major airport, the incident at Edinburgh highlights the interconnectedness of travel schedules and the cascading effects of such failures. Observations made by travelers during the upheaval may likely provide insights on risks associated with air travel during peak seasons.
Now, as operations return to pre-disruption workflows, many at Edinburgh Airport look forward to clearer skies and smoother journeys. Passengers are advised to stay alert and informed about any additional changes as they navigate subsequent flight departures.
