UK flight disruption eases as airports return to normal

Flight disruption across UK airports has eased, with operations returning to normal after a technical fault at National Air Traffic Services caused over 2,000 flight cancellations this week. Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, and Gatwick confirmed Thursday schedules are normal, while British Airways expects to operate a full schedule after cancelling nearly 550 flights affecting 85,000 passengers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander apologised to passengers and said the issue was not "unavoidable." The CAA said passengers are unlikely to receive compensation, citing "extraordinary circumstances." An independent review and Nats investigation are underway, with Ryanair's CEO calling for Nats chief Martin Rolfe's resignation. Similar disruptions occurred in August 2023, affecting over 700,000 passengers.