The United Kingdom's national air traffic control agency announced that it has limited the number of planes in circulation today in British airspace. A reasoned decision as a result of a technical problem. This choice caused delayed and canceled flights across Europe, with passengers in some cases being stranded on the airport tarmac shortly before boarding.

"We are currently experiencing a technical problem and have implemented traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety. Engineers are working to find and resolve the fault", Britain's National Air Traffic Service (Nats) said in a statement, adding that it airspace was not closed.

It has had serious repercussions especially at Irish airports. Companies like British Airways and Ryanair, as well as Manchester, London-Stansted, London-Gatwick and London-Heathrow airports said they were working closely with the UK's national air traffic control authority to reduce the impact on aerial operations.