From Seattletimes · · 50s
UK Air Traffic Glitch Cuts 2000 Flights
A millisecond software glitch caused 2,000 UK flights to cancel.
In brief
A millisecond software glitch caused 2,000 UK flights to cancel. NATS blamed a millisecond software defect for 2,000 UK flight cancellations. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Flight Cancellations
A preliminary report blamed a millisecond-software defect for over 2,000 flight cancellations in the uk last week.
“A preliminary report Friday blamed a millisecond-software defect for the cancellation of over 2,000 flights in and out of the United Kingdom last week”
Nats Explains Cause
Nats said the sept 8 software glitch caused airport chaos rather than human failings.
“Nats, formerly known as national air traffic services, said friday that the glitch on sept. 8 was behind the mayhem at british airports and beyond, rather than any human failings”
Software Defect Details
The national airspace system software defect affected flight radar identification codes.
“It said a software defect in the national airspace system, which allocates codes so air traffic controllers can identify flights on radar, was behind the decision to ax the flights”
Rolling Back Impact
The glitch stranded passengers for hours and took days to clear up.
“The chaos, which stranded passengers for hours on airport runways and in terminals and took days to clear up, was the latest embarrassment to afflict nats”
Nats Chief Response
Martin rolfe said it was a software issue in a specific flight data system subsection.
“He said, adding that mitigation measures are in place while a permanent fix is tested and deployed”
Government Action
U.k. transport secretary heidi alexander ordered nats to complete full investigation and independent review.
“U.k. transport secretary heidi alexander met with rolfe in the aftermath of the flight chaos and ordered his organization to complete a full investigation into the incident”
The takeaway
NATS blamed a millisecond software defect for 2,000 UK flight cancellations.
