Flight Disruptions
London Gatwick air traffic control disruption affects 8 flights

London Gatwick air traffic control disruption affects 8 flights

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Checked by Josh Arnfield

Last updated on November 13, 2026

Affected flights

Affected airports

Affected airlines

Affected flights

Affected airports

Affected airlines

Disruption overview

Passengers traveling between London Gatwick and Jersey, Lisbon, and Barcelona faced disruption on 11 November 2026 after a technical fault in the UK’s air traffic control system. Among 8 affected flights, 5 arrivals were canceled and travelers on 3 departures were told to contact their airline; the services involved easyJet, TAP Portugal, Vueling, and airBaltic. Some passengers faced hours-long waits or were left stranded without their luggage as disruption continued through the day. Compensation is generally unlikely for an air traffic control problem outside the airline’s control, but if you’re affected, you may still have rights to refunds, rebooking, and care.

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Disruption details

A technical problem with the UK’s air traffic control system disrupted flights at London Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The affected services included 5 canceled arrivals and 3 departures where passengers were directed to contact their airline.

For passengers, this meant hours of waiting, with some left stranded or without their luggage. If you’re traveling through Gatwick, check the airport’s live disruption information and your airline’s updates for your flight’s status.

The disruption involved easyJet, TAP Portugal, Vueling, and airBaltic services. Affected routes connected London Gatwick with Jersey Airport, Lisbon Airport, and Barcelona–El Prat Airport, covering travel between the United Kingdom, Jersey, Portugal, and Spain.

The following arrivals were listed as canceled, with their scheduled arrival times:

easyJet EZY878 from Jersey, scheduled for 8:05 am.
easyJet EJU8514 from Lisbon, scheduled for 9:00 am.
TAP Portugal TP1334 from Lisbon, scheduled for 9:50 am.
Vueling VY7618 from Barcelona, scheduled for 4:35 pm.
easyJet EJU8512 from Lisbon, scheduled for 6:00 pm.

Passengers on these departures were asked to contact their airline rather than being given an outright cancellation status:

easyJet EJU8515 to Lisbon, scheduled for 9:50 am.
The airBaltic and TAP Portugal codeshare BT5368/TP1335 to Lisbon, scheduled for 10:40 am.
Vueling VY7619 to Barcelona, scheduled for 5:15 pm.

The disruption was ongoing on 11 November. The technical fault affected air traffic control operations, rather than being a problem caused by an individual airline.

Compensation is generally unlikely when an air traffic control fault causes disruption outside the airline’s control. But that doesn’t mean you’re without support: refunds, rebooking, and care can still apply.

If your flight’s canceled, your airline must offer an alternative journey or a refund if you decide not to travel. Depending on your waiting time and circumstances, you may also be entitled to food, refreshments, and overnight accommodation with transportation. Ask your airline what assistance it can arrange for you.

Know your rights

These are your air passenger rights

When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.

Rerouting or refund

If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Care and assistance

Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.

Accommodation

If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.

Communication

Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.

This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.

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Quick facts

Summary

Disruption

Delays and Cancellations

Cause

Other

Status

Current disruption

Compensation

Not eligible for compensation

Flights affected

Airlines affected

Easyjet, Tap Air Portugal, Vueling Airlines, Air Baltic Corporation

Airports affected

London Gatwick Airport, Jersey Airport, Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport, Barcelona-El Prat Airport

Cities affected

London, Jersey, Lisbon, Barcelona

Countries affected

United Kingdom, Jersey, Portugal, Spain

Start date

2026-11-11

Checked by

Josh Arnfield

Date updated

November 13, 2026

What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked

If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.

Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.

Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.

Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.

Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.

Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.

If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.

Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.

Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.

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