Birmingham Airport Arrivals Halted as Technical Failure Sparks Travel Chaos
A significant power failure at a critical National Air Traffic Services (NATS) radar site has thrown Birmingham Airport into disarray, forcing the suspension of all incoming flights. The technical fault, which struck in the early hours of Monday, January 12, 2026, has led to widespread disruption for passengers.
Airport authorities confirmed that only departing flights are currently operational, and even these are suffering from considerable delays. The core of the problem lies with the radar system that serves the airport, managed by NATS, which experienced a complete loss of power.
Flights Diverted to Alternative Airports
With the radar system down, all arriving flights have been suspended. This has forced several aircraft destined for Birmingham to be rerouted to other airports across the region. Confirmed diversion points include:
- East Midlands Airport
- Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Passengers on affected flights are facing extended journeys and uncertainty as airlines scramble to manage the logistical fallout. The disruption is expected to ripple through schedules for the remainder of the day.
Airport and NATS Response
A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport addressed the situation directly. "Due to a technical issue with NATS' radar that serves Birmingham Airport, only departing flights are currently operating, with some delays," they stated. The spokesperson added, "All arriving flights are currently suspended. We apologise for the delay to customers, and we are working closely with NATS to rectify the issue."
The collaboration between airport staff and NATS engineers is focused on restoring the radar system as a matter of urgency. However, no definitive timeline for a full resumption of services has been provided, leaving travellers in limbo.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of the UK's air traffic control infrastructure to single points of failure. Passengers are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight status before travelling to Birmingham Airport. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
