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الوسم: Britain

  • One Dead, 89 Hurt in London Train Collision Near Bedford

    One Dead, 89 Hurt in London Train Collision Near Bedford

    A collision occurred about 60 miles north of London involving two trains, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries, according to British Transport Police.

    Emergency responders responded around 5:15 PM (local time) to the railway south of Bedford where the crash took place, involving two East Midlands Railway trains.

    A passenger-shared video depicted the front of one train entangled with the rear of another, with the carriages largely remaining upright on the rails.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences, stating, “My thoughts are with the family of the person who sadly lost their life and with those seriously injured.”

    The East of England Ambulance Service deployed numerous crews, including over 20 ambulances and six air ambulances.

    The casualties included one person who died at the scene, 11 with critical injuries, 22 seriously hurt, and 56 with minor injuries.

    Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy confirmed that a significant emergency response was underway as authorities work to determine the cause of the collision.

    A doctor, Peter Knapp, who was on one of the trains and shared on social media, described a “sudden crash,” noting that one carriage left the tracks, and reported sustaining minor injuries.

  • Labour Loses Ground Early to Reform in UK Elections

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer experienced significant early setbacks in local elections on Friday, highlighting widespread voter dissatisfaction with his administration and casting doubt on his leadership just two years after a decisive general election victory.

    Support for Starmer’s Labour Party plummeted in key areas overnight, including traditional strongholds in former industrial regions of central and northern England, as well as some parts of London.

    The biggest gains went to the anti-immigration populist Reform UK, led by Brexit supporter Nigel Farage, which captured over 200 council seats across England. Reform UK could emerge as the primary opposition in Scotland and Wales, challenging the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, which favor independence.

    “Things have been pretty much as bad as anyone predicted for Labour—possibly worse,” said John Curtice, a leading polling expert in Britain.

    The elections for 136 local councils across England, alongside votes in the devolved Scottish and Welsh parliaments, serve as a major gauge of public opinion ahead of the next general election, scheduled for 2029.

    Party officials within Labour stated that if the party underperforms in Scotland, loses control of Welsh councils, and fails to defend many of the roughly 2,500 seats it currently holds in England, then Starmer could face increasing pressure to step down or set a timetable for his departure.

    Fragmentation of Britain’s Traditional Two-Party System

    Early results indicated a continued breakdown of Britain’s once-stable two-party system, signaling one of the most significant political shifts in the country in a century.

    The once-dominant Labour and Conservative parties are losing votes to Reform UK and the Green Party on the left, which advocates for environmental policies, while nationalist parties are poised to secure victories in Scotland and Wales.

    Farage remarked that the results exceeded expectations and signaled a “historic change in British politics.”

    In many key results, Labour suffered heavy losses. The party lost control of Tameside Council in Greater Manchester for the first time in nearly five decades, with Reform UK claiming all 14 seats Labour was defending. Similarly, Labour lost every one of the 20 seats it was defending in Wigan, a former mining town that has been under Labour control for over 50 years. In Salford, Labour holds just three out of 16 seats it was contesting.

    “These losses are soul-destroying,” said Rebecca Long-Bailey, a Labour Member of Parliament representing Salford.

    While mid-term election losses are typical for incumbent governments, polling suggests Labour could suffer its worst seat loss since 1995, when Prime Minister John Major’s government lost over 2,000 council seats amid widespread scandal.

    Reform UK added 253 council seats in England, with results pending in over 4,200 seats. Labour lost 185 seats, and the Conservatives dropped by 93.

    Most results—including those from Scottish and Welsh elections—are expected to be announced later on Friday.

    Scandals and Policy Reversals Weaken Starmer’s Authority

    Starmer, a former lawyer, was elected in 2024 with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in recent British history, promising stability amid political chaos, rather than charisma.

    However, his tenure has been marred by numerous policy reversals, a revolving door of advisers, and the controversial appointment and subsequent firing of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States, due to links to convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

    Starmer maintains he will lead Labour into the next election, and the party has never successfully ousted a sitting prime minister in its 125-year history.

    The current political landscape is slightly tilted in Starmer’s favor, as the two leading contenders to succeed him—Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner—are currently not positioned to mount a challenge. Additionally, potential rivals seem hesitant to challenge him at this time.

    Energy Minister Ed Miliband dismissed reports from The Times suggesting he advised Starmer to consider setting a departure timetable from Downing Street.

    Political Uncertainty Persists

    Despite the setbacks, Starmer’s leadership remains intact for now, though the wave of losses in local elections underscores ongoing political instability and the challenge of uniting a fractured electorate.

  • Iran-U.S. Tension Strains Ties as UK Turns to Europe

    Iran-U.S. Tension Strains Ties as UK Turns to Europe

    Britain’s government plans to introduce legislation next month aimed at bringing the country closer to the European Union, amid tensions caused by the Iran conflict that are straining the UK’s so-called special relationship with the United States.

    President Donald Trump’s unpredictable behavior and repeated insults toward America’s historic ally are fueling Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to strengthen ties with the EU, a shift that comes nearly a decade after the UK narrowly voted to leave the bloc.

    Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group think tank, explained to AFP, “Our government is already inclined to move closer to the EU, and the situation in Iran offers a chance to accelerate that process.”

    Starmer’s government is drafting an EU “reset” bill permitting ministers to adjust UK standards to keep pace with evolving EU single market rules—referred to as “dynamic alignment.” The legislation will be announced by King Charles III on May 13 during his upcoming address outlining the government’s legislative plans, an anonymous government official told AFP.

    Since his Labour Party’s victory in the 2024 general election, overthrowing the Conservatives who had pushed Brexit, Starmer has repeatedly called for a deeper economic and security relationship with Europe. Recently, he emphasized this point during a meeting with Dutch leader Rob Jetten, stating, “The UK and the EU partnership must be capable of tackling today’s challenges.”

    The EU remains the UK’s largest trading partner, and the International Monetary Fund warned this week that the UK will experience the most significant economic fallout among advanced economies due to the Iran crisis.

    “Certainly, Iran has made this [EU relationship] more urgent,” the UK official added. “We must build economic resilience across the continent.”

    While initially refusing to participate in the US and Israel’s strikes on February 28, Starmer later permitted American forces to operate from UK bases for limited defensive purposes. His decision to appoint former Jeffrey Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington faced domestic criticism, yet he has also been praised for standing firm against Trump’s frequent provocations.

    Recently, Trump threatened to revoke the UK-US trade deal in a phone interview with Sky News, citing his tariffs’ impact on Britain. The ongoing unpredictability of Trump’s approach is believed to have strengthened the UK’s desire to forge a closer relationship with the EU, according to trade policy expert David Henig.

    Starmer’s government aims to introduce the EU-alignment legislation within months, possibly coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum in June 2016. The measure will give MPs the opportunity to approve mechanisms for adopting EU rules—sometimes without full votes—especially in areas like trade agreements easing food and plant exports and plans to integrate the UK into the EU’s internal electricity market.

    Negotiations on a youth mobility scheme are also expected to be finalized ahead of a joint summit scheduled for late June or early July in Brussels. However, Starmer has ruled out rejoining the single market or returning to free movement policies.

    The Liberal Democrats advocate for a different approach, pushing for Britain to negotiate a customs union with the EU despite Starmer’s stance. Calum Miller, foreign affairs spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, told AFP, “We need to strengthen relations with reliable partners who share our values.”

    Brexit remains a contentious issue, with hard-right Reform UK, led by Eurosceptic Nigel Farage and polling as the leading party, criticizing the upcoming legislation as a betrayal of the Referendum’s narrow decision to leave. Nonetheless, recent surveys indicate growing regret among Britons about leaving the EU—an opportunity Starmer hopes to leverage amid rising living costs, which UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves partly blames on Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict.

    Aspinall commented, “When relationships with the U.S. are strained, it’s easier for the public to accept a closer tie with the EU.”

  • Russia expels UK diplomat over espionage claims

    Russia expels UK diplomat over espionage claims

    Russia announced the expulsion of a British diplomat on Monday, accusing him of conducting espionage activities—claims that London swiftly dismissed as “completely false.” Over the past decade, both Moscow and London have expelled several embassy staff members, exchanging accusations of spying and sabotage. Typically, when one side takes such action, the other responds in kind.

    The individual expelled is identified as 29-year-old embassy secretary Albertus Gerhardus Janse Van Rensburg. Russian authorities say he was expelled for engaging in “subversive intelligence operations that threaten Russia’s security.” The FSB security agency stated, “A decision was made to revoke Janse Van Rensburg’s accreditation, and he was ordered to leave Russia within two weeks.”

    The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned Britain’s chargé d’affaires to discuss the incident and warned the UK against retaliating. Britain responded by accusing Russia of engaging in an “aggressive and coordinated harassment campaign.” A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office dismissed the accusations as “complete nonsense,” criticizing Russia for “pumping out malicious and entirely unfounded allegations” about British diplomats.

    Relations between the UK and Russia are already strained over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and espionage allegations have historically worsened tensions. In 2006, former FSB officer and Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with polonium in London, an act British investigators allege was carried out by the Russian secret service. Later, in 2018, the UK accused Russia of poisoning double agent Sergei Skripal with a Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury, leading to one civilian death from a discarded perfume bottle containing the toxin. This incident prompted one of the largest expulsions of Russian diplomats in Western history, who were suspected of being spies.

  • Two Afghan teens jailed for assault in England

    Two Afghan teens jailed for assault in England

    Two teenage Afghan asylum seekers, who arrived in Britain alone within the past year, received lengthy detention sentences Monday for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in central England.

    The suspects, Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal, both 17, assaulted the girl in a Leamington Spa park in May after removing her from her friends while she was heavily intoxicated, prosecutors told Warwick Crown Court.

    A video the distressed girl managed to record during the assault was played at the trial, showing her crying loudly and pleading, “Please help me… let me go… I want to go home.”

    In a victim impact statement, the girl said, “The day I was raped changed me as a person,” describing it as her first sexual experience.

    This incident has became part of a broader political debate in Britain, where concerns over crimes, particularly sexual offenses committed by asylum seekers, are rising amid efforts to curb the surge of migrants crossing the English Channel by small boats.

    Recent cases include an Afghan national admitting to raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, and an Ethiopian man serving time after being convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and an adult woman in Epping, north of London. These incidents sparked protests, some turning violent, and demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers. Immigration issues have also boosted the popularity of the nationalist Reform UK party in opinion polls.

    Recognizing the public concern, Judge Sylvia de Bertodano ordered that the two 17-year-olds be named, citing the public interest, despite their age.

    Jahanzeb, who will turn 18 at the beginning of next year, was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, while Niazal received a sentence of nine years and 10 months.

    Jahanzeb’s attorney, Robert Holt, stated his client traveled solo through Europe, attempting four times to cross the Channel on a small boat before successfully reaching Britain in January. He is expected to be deported after serving his sentence.

    Niazal’s lawyer, Joshua Radcliffe, explained that his client arrived alone in November to escape the Taliban, who had murdered his father, a former Afghan army member. He awaits a decision on his asylum application, though the judge indicated she would recommend his deportation once he completes his sentence.

    Judge de Bertodano emphasized that the teenagers had acted against the interests of those seeking refuge in Britain.

  • Man faces 10 attempted murder charges following UK train knife attack

    Man faces 10 attempted murder charges following UK train knife attack

    A forensic investigator walks near the scene at Huntingdon Station after a series of stabbings on a train near Cambridge, UK, November 2, 2025.— Reuters

    – Eleven individuals, including train crew members, were injured during the stabbing incident.
    – The suspect is not known to security authorities, according to the transportation minister.
    – By late Sunday, five victims had been released from the hospital.

    British authorities announced that a 32-year-old man has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder in connection with the knife attack on Saturday. Officials clarified that the attack was not considered terrorism-related.

    The mass stabbing, which injured 11 people, included a train conductor who remains in critical but stable condition after being hurt while trying to prevent the suspect from harming others. The assault occurred on a London-bound train that stopped at Huntingdon, approximately 80 miles north of London. The incident shocked the nation, prompting statements of concern from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles, who expressed their sympathies.

    The Crown Prosecutor’s Office identified the accused as Anthony Williams, 32, from Peterborough in eastern England. He faces 11 counts of attempted murder, one charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, and two counts of possession of a bladed weapon. Ten of the attempted murder charges are related to the train attack, while the additional charge stems from a separate incident earlier that day at a station in East London.

    Williams is scheduled to appear before Peterborough Magistrates Court later today. The charges resulted from a review of CCTV footage from the train and other evidence.

    The transportation minister confirmed that the suspect was not known to intelligence or security services and declined to comment on his mental health history. As of late Sunday, five injured individuals had been discharged from the hospital.

  • Britain’s Ex-Prime Minister Key to Trump’s Gaza Strategy

    Britain’s Ex-Prime Minister Key to Trump’s Gaza Strategy

    Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom whose reputation was heavily marred by his involvement in the 2003 Iraq War, remains a controversial figure in the Middle East and globally. His potential leadership in Donald Trump’s proposed peace initiative for Gaza is unlikely to alter that perception significantly.
    At 72, Blair is slated to sit on the board of an international transitional authority in Palestinian territories. He is credited with developing the framework of Trump’s peace plan, working alongside Trump’s son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner.
    “While I wouldn’t say Trump officially appointed him, it’s clear Blair managed to persuade the President of the merits of this approach,” said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East program at Chatham House.
    Blair’s extensive regional contacts and experience stem from his eight-year tenure as the envoy for the Middle East Quartet, which includes the European Union, United Nations, United States, and Russia. Known for his diplomatic savvy and confidence on the world stage, Blair is perceived as a figure who could bring significant influence to any leadership role in Gaza.
    Critics point out his limited achievements as envoy and doubt his suitability as a peacemaker, especially given his unpopularity among many Arabs and the discredit he faces in Britain for his support of the Iraq invasion.
    “His reputation is definitely tarnished by his role in the Iraq war,” Vakil noted.
    “However, he still commands trust among Gulf leaders, who see him as a potential bridge-builder,” she added, clarifying that this support does not extend to the Palestinian community.
    Blair, renowned for his effective communication skills and strong conviction, maintains an informal regional influence through his institute and consulting work. He contributed to the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, according to his office.
    Israel reportedly welcomes his potential new role, with good rapport existing between Blair and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    “Blair has always been committed to resolving this long-standing conflict,” remarked Ehud Barak, Israel’s former Prime Minister.
    In contrast, Palestinian voices are overwhelmingly negative. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, called the idea “horrible,” arguing it’s unacceptable to have a foreigner run Palestinian affairs in Gaza given Blair’s reputation.
    Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights, was more direct, tweeting, “Tony Blair? Hell no. Perhaps we should meet in The Hague,” referencing calls for war crimes investigations related to Iraq.
    Blair has not apologized for his role in the 2003 invasion, which many saw as aligning the UK closely with the US under then-President George W. Bush. Still, he has expressed regret over intelligence failures and the insufficient planning for post-war Iraq.
    “At least we aimed to remove a dictator and promote democracy,” he told AFP in 2023.

    Blair’s political ascent began when he entered Parliament for the Labour Party in 1983. By 1994, he was leading the party’s modernization efforts, and in 1997, he became Britain’s youngest Prime Minister in over a century, winning three consecutive elections. His tenure during the “Cool Britannia” era was marked by economic growth, constitutional reforms, expanded LGBT rights, and a historic peace agreement in Northern Ireland.
    However, the post-9/11 period saw his popularity decline. Massive protests against the Iraq invasion and flawed evidence weakened his domestic standing. Internal disagreements, particularly with Chancellor Gordon Brown, led to his resignation in 2007.
    Despite stepping down from politics, Blair has remained active on the world stage, focusing on interfaith work and combatting extremism through his foundation. His consultancy work, while lucrative, has also faced criticism.

  • UK Residency: New Rules May Link to Your English Skills and Conduct

    UK Residency: New Rules May Link to Your English Skills and Conduct

    Britain is planning to tighten regulations on how migrants can achieve permanent residency by requiring applicants to demonstrate their worth to society. This includes the ability to speak English at a high standard, according to Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood on Monday.

    The initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to diminish the influence of the populist Reform UK party, which has been vocal on immigration issues and has compelled Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to adopt more stringent policies.

    Currently, most migrants can apply for “indefinite leave to remain” after five years of residence in Britain, a status granting lifelong residence rights.

    In her first speech to the Labour Party conference as interior minister, Mahmood indicated that the government is contemplating reforms whereby eligibility for this status would depend on social security contributions, a clean criminal record, no benefit claims, proficiency in English, and a history of community volunteering.

    “Time alone in this country is not sufficient,” Mahmood stated. “You must earn the right to live here.”

    A consultation on these proposals is expected to launch later this year. This move builds on prior announcements that the qualifying period for residency would be extended to a baseline of 10 years.

    Mahmood added that some individuals who have resided in Britain for over a decade might still be denied permanent settlement if they do not meet the new criteria.

    Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage and leading in polls, recently suggested abolishing “indefinite leave to remain” in favor of a renewable five-year work visa.

    Starmer accused Reform UK last Sunday of planning a “racist policy” involving mass deportations, clarifying that he did not believe their supporters were racist.

    Legal experts express concerns that these new requirements could deter some people from moving to Britain, noting that mandating community volunteering could be difficult to verify.

    Mahmood emphasized her willingness to be unpopular if necessary to prevent tens of thousands of people from arriving via small boats from Europe.

    “We will need to re-examine some long-standing assumptions and legal frameworks,” she said. “Without control, it’s impossible to maintain an open, tolerant, and generous society.”

    Immigration remains a deeply significant issue for British voters. Controlling the number of arrivals was a critical factor in the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, yet net migration numbers reached record highs after Britain exited the bloc.

  • Two Women Lose Lives Attempting Channel Crossing from France

    Two Women Lose Lives Attempting Channel Crossing from France

    A group of migrants on an inflatable boat departs from northern France’s coast, attempting to cross the English Channel to reach the UK, departing from Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines near Calais, on August 25, 2025. —Reuters

    French authorities reported that two Somali women lost their lives Saturday while trying to cross the Channel, and a third migrant’s body was discovered in a canal.

    Approximately 60 other migrants were rescued during this incident, which involved about 100 individuals boarding a makeshift boat south of Neufchatel-Hardelot beaches around 3:15 a.m. (0115 GMT), aiming for Britain.

    Their overloaded vessel was forced back to shore after its engine failed to operate, according to a statement from the local prefecture.

    Civil protection teams cared for 60 individuals, while others onboard fled when rescue crews arrived, stated Isabelle Fradin-Thirode, an official based in nearby Montreuil-sur-Mer.

    A family—a couple and their child—suffering from moderate hypothermia was transported to a hospital in Boulogne.

    The body, believed to be a man in his late 20s or early 30s, was recovered from a canal in Gravelines, near Dunkirk, confirmed by the prefecture and AFP journalists on site.

    These latest tragedies bring the total number of Channel crossing deaths this year to at least 26, based on official data compiled by AFP.

    Since the start of the year, a record 32,000 migrants have arrived in Britain after crossing the Channel in small boats.

    ### Franco-British Agreement

    A recent Franco-British agreement allows the UK to deport migrants back to France if they are considered ineligible for asylum, including those who have traveled through a “safe country” en route to UK shores.

    In exchange, London commits to accepting an equal number of migrants from France who are likely to have their asylum claims approved.

    Despite this arrangement, it appears to haven’t deterred migrants from risking the dangerous crossing.

    On Friday, AFP reporters in the Gravelines area observed hundreds of migrants preparing to cross whenever weather conditions allowed, gathering along different parts of the beach.

    Earlier this week, journalists spoke with several migrants at a makeshift camp in Loon-Plage near Dunkirk. Many expressed they’ve endured significant hardships and acknowledge the dangers ahead, with some saying, “Crossing the channel in a small boat, you’re not sure if you’ll make it.”

    One migrant added, “But it’s worth trying our luck.”

  • Trump Arrives in Britain for Landmark Second State Visit

    Trump Arrives in Britain for Landmark Second State Visit

    U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom on Tuesday for a rare second state visit, as the UK government prepared to host him with a royal red carpet to win his favor.

    The 79-year-old Republican told reporters after stepping off Air Force One with First Lady Melania Trump, “Many things here truly touch my heart. It’s a very special place.”

    King Charles III will host Trump at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for an opulent banquet and a carriage ride. The following day, Trump is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his country estate.

    As a sign of the grandeur expected, a guard of honor welcomed the Trumps at Stansted Airport near London. Trump also expressed admiration for the British monarch.

    “He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, and everyone respects and loves him,” Trump said as he arrived by helicopter at Winfield House, the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London, where he will spend the night.

    “Tomorrow’s going to be a very big day.”

    This marks Trump as the first U.S. president to be invited for two state visits, having previously been hosted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 during his last term. Britain aims to keep the so-called special relationship alive through this visit.

    The UK government has been openly eager to maintain a good relationship with Trump, whose mother was Scottish and who owns several golf courses in Britain.

    Security for the visit is intense, and the public will be kept at a distance, with the event happening behind closed doors. A sizable protest is planned in London on Wednesday, and some demonstrators projected images of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle’s towers late Tuesday.

    The Epstein scandal has cast a shadow over Trump for weeks, especially after his administration blocked the release of files related to Epstein. British Prime Minister Starmer also faced controversy when he dismissed his ambassador to Washington over emails linked to Epstein.

    Despite the unpredictability of Trump’s positions on tariffs, Ukraine, and Gaza, the British government hopes the scale of the visit will help smooth the relationship.

    On Wednesday in Windsor, Trump will enjoy a ceremonial carriage ride and a flyover by UK and U.S. jets, which officials say is the largest military display for a state visit in recent memory. That evening, King Charles will host a lavish state dinner where both will give speeches.

    The royal visit could also provide Trump a break from recent turbulent events at home, including the turmoil following the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

    On Thursday, the focus shifts to talks at Prime Minister Starmer’s country residence, Chequers, centered on trade and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

    The visit aligns with announcements of new investments, such as Microsoft’s pledge to invest $30 billion in Britain over four years.

    Starmer is eager for the visit to go well after recent internal party struggles, including questions over his leadership following Peter Mandelson’s resignation.

    Downing Street predicts the trip will elevate the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

    Experts like Evie Aspinall of the British Foreign Policy Group see this as a major moment for both leaders. She explains, “For Trump, it’s a chance to indulge in the pomp and ceremony he loves. For Starmer, it’s an opportunity to shift focus from domestic issues to international diplomacy where he’s had more success.”

  • UK Airports Disrupted by Air Traffic Control Glitch

    UK Airports Disrupted by Air Traffic Control Glitch

    A technical glitch at the UK’s air traffic control center caused disruptions at major airports in London and across the country on Wednesday. The issue has since been resolved, and flight departures are gradually returning to normal.

    “Our systems are fully operational, and air traffic capacity is coming back online,” stated the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) via their X account.

    “All departures have resumed at every airport, and we are collaborating with airlines and airports to safely clear the backlog. We apologize to everyone impacted by this outage.”

    Initially announced by NATS about 20 minutes earlier, the outage affected Heathrow Airport, the largest in Britain and Europe’s busiest.

    “Flights at Heathrow resumed after a technical problem at NATS’s Swanwick control center. Passengers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport,” an airport spokesperson said.

    Gatwick and Edinburgh airports also reported that their operations were returning to normal. London City Airport experienced earlier disruptions as well. The exact duration of the outage remains unclear.

    Earlier this year, in August 2023, Britain experienced flight disruptions when automatic flight plan processing systems malfunctioned.

    Last year, the UK’s aviation regulator instructed NATS to review and improve its contingency plans following this recent outage, which airline executives estimate cost carriers over 100 million pounds ($133 million) in refunds and compensation.