Power Cut at Birmingham Airport Forces Flight Diversions to Liverpool
Key Points
- 1Over 20 Birmingham-bound flights were diverted or cancelled due to the NATS radar power outage.
- 2The disruption lasted from Sunday evening (January 11) until the radar was restored at 1:30 a.m. Monday.
- 3The technical failure was directly caused by severe weather from Storm Goretti.
- 4This was the second major weather-related incident at Birmingham Airport within four days.
Severe weather caused a power outage at a National Air Traffic Service (NATS) radar site. This technical failure halted all arrivals at Birmingham Airport (BHX). The disruption began on Sunday evening, January 11, and continued overnight. Departures from the Midlands hub were able to continue.
Technical Failure and Diversions
The power cut was triggered by persistent wet and blustery conditions. This was in the aftermath of Storm Goretti. The outage impacted the radar serving Birmingham Airport. Air traffic control services were severely limited.
Over 20 Birmingham-bound flights were either cancelled, diverted, or significantly delayed. Some passengers faced hold-ups lasting as long as four hours. Rerouted aircraft landed at alternative hubs. These included Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL), East Midlands, and Stansted. One flight from Amsterdam was forced to return to its origin.
A NATS spokesperson confirmed the issue. They stated the radar was restored and operating normally again. NATS technicians worked with National Grid to swiftly rectify the problem. The radar was brought back online shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Monday. NATS apologized to passengers affected by the issue. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) sets standards for air traffic control resilience.
Broader Resilience Concerns
This incident renews focus on UK airspace infrastructure reliability. It follows other high-profile system failures and power issues. A major power outage at Heathrow Airport in March 2025 caused over 1,300 cancellations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) consistently calls for better infrastructure investment. This is vital to protect airline schedules and passenger experience.
Storm Goretti's Double Blow
This marks the second major disruption at the Midlands hub in four days. Storm Goretti had previously forced the airport to suspend operations. This occurred on Friday, January 9, due to heavy snow covering the runway. An airport spokesperson confirmed the suspension at the time.
Weather-related airport closures are a recurring challenge for UK aviation. The repeated disruptions highlight the need for robust contingency planning. This is especially true for critical air traffic control services. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.
- Airlines face significant costs from diversions and cancellations.
- The ripple effects impact the entire European aviation network.
- Stakeholders must prioritize system resilience against weather events.
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