09/09/2026
Yesterday’s UK air traffic control failure has been one of the most challenging days I have seen in travel for a long time. From around 14h00, flights were cancelled en masse, passengers were left sitting on aircraft or in terminals for hours, bags were held back, and communication from the “system” was, at best, patchy.
Behind every headline are real people: families missing holidays, business travellers missing meetings, elderly passengers confused and anxious. Among them yesterday were my own parents and my aunts and uncle, directly affected by this outrageous failure, which has made it all feel even more personal.
While the infrastructure let everyone down, the humans in the system did not. Alongside thousands of fellow agents, airline teams and airport staff, I spent the day and well into the night working to reprotect bookings, source alternatives and keep everyone as informed and calm as possible. I eventually got to bed around 1am and was back at my desk at 5, because walking away simply is and was not an option.
Days like this are a stark reminder of why having a dedicated travel professional in your corner matters. Technology can and does fail. When it does, you still have someone watching your booking, advocating for you, checking options and explaining what is really going on.
To my clients who were affected: thank you for your patience, your trust, and your kindness in the middle of the chaos. We will keep pushing until every journey is back on track.
