One-Millisecond Software Glitch Led to Cancellation of Over

Key Takeaways

• An investigation by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services ruled out hacking and terrorism, finding that a software fault lasting just one millisecond
• LONDON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2026) A remarkably brief software glitch caused last week’s major air travel crisis in the United
• According to an investigation by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS), a software fault occurred on 8 September in a small section of the Nat
• The fault emerged due to a combination of specific circumstances occurring within just one millisecond, but its effects were felt for several hours an
• According to the British broadcaster, the NATS report said the problem occurred while the system was processing a manual request for an aircraft ident

An investigation by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services ruled out hacking and terrorism, finding that a software fault lasting just one millisecond disrupted the country’s air traffic system.

LONDON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Sep, 2026) A remarkably brief software glitch caused last week’s major air travel crisis in the United Kingdom, affecting the country’s air traffic control system and leading to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights. According to an investigation by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS), a software fault occurred on 8 September in a small section of the National Airspace System.

The fault emerged due to a combination of specific circumstances occurring within just one millisecond, but its effects were felt for several hours and then for more than two days. According to the British broadcaster, the NATS report said the problem occurred while the system was processing a manual request for an aircraft identification code.

At the same time, a message relating to another, higher-priority activity was received, temporarily interrupting the first process. When processing of the aircraft identification code request resumed, the software fault prevented it from restarting correctly, corrupting some information.

That information was subsequently being used to update flight data. NATS said the entire technical process occurred within “one millisecond.” However, the brief fault affected the information available to air traffic controllers.

Prioritising passenger safety, restrictions were imposed on air traffic so that the system could be restarted and flight data restored. The restrictions remained in place for approximately six hours, and the organisation said the system returned to normal that evening. By then, however, disruptions had affected flights not only in the UK but also in several regions around the world because of problems in systems connected to the network.

According to the investigation, the original problem did not end immediately after the system was restored. It took more than two days to clear the backlog caused by the cancellation of a large number of flights, disruption to aircraft and crew schedules, and the accumulation of passengers. According to an aviation data company, 1,746 flights were cancelled on 8 September and a further 399 on 9 September, meaning that a total of 2,145 flights were cancelled over the two days.

Industry body Airlines UK said more than 330,000 passengers were affected. British Airways was also severely affected, with approximately 550 flights cancelled, disrupting the travel plans of around 85,000 passengers.

Flights travelling to and from the United Arab Emirates were also affected. Etihad Airways said one flight from London to Abu Dhabi was cancelled, while another was delayed. A further flight had to be diverted to Paris, after which passengers were rebooked and other arrangements were made. Emirates also confirmed that flights arriving at and departing from various UK airports had been affected, advising passengers to check the latest flight status before travelling. NATS’s initial investigation found no evidence of a cyberattack or sabotage.

The organisation’s chief executive, Martin Rolfe, said the issue involved a software coding fault in a specific part of the air traffic control system. He also clarified that the latest incident was not related to the major air traffic control disruption that occurred in 2023. According to the organisation, passenger safety was not compromised, and the number of flights was limited as a precautionary measure while the system was malfunctioning. The British government has not, however, deemed NATS’s preliminary report final.

Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to prepare an independent review of the incident. The review will examine NATS’s investigation, the resilience of the air traffic control system, future investment and regulatory oversight.

The CAA report is expected within the next six months. NATS meanwhile said the fault had been identified and temporary safety measures were in place, while testing and installation of a permanent software solution were ongoing.

Frequently Asked Questions

One-Millisecond Software Glitch Led to Cancellatio؟

---

Originally reported by UrduPoint. Enhanced and optimized for search by TechVeb.