New York Joins Dublin, Edinburgh, and the UK in Airport Chaos as IT Failure at Edinburgh Airport Grounds Flights, Diverts International Routes

Published on December 6, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Edinburgh Airport was struck by an unexpected IT fault today, leading to a complete suspension of flights and causing widespread disruptions for passengers, particularly those traveling to and from New York, Dublin, and other major cities in the UK. The incident, which began around 09:00 local time, was attributed to an issue with the Air Navigation Solutions (ANS) air traffic control systems. The disruption lasted less than two hours, but it still caused significant delays, cancellations, and required multiple inbound flights, including a Delta Air Lines flight from New York, to be diverted to Dublin.

The airport clarified that the IT fault was localized to Edinburgh’s systems and was not linked to the global Cloudflare outage that occurred on the same day. Flights resumed by approximately 10:45 AM, but the effects of the disruption were felt throughout the day, especially by travelers flying between the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

What Happened at Edinburgh Airport?

The disruption occurred due to an IT failure in the air traffic control systems managed by Air Navigation Solutions (ANS). This led to the suspension of all flights at Edinburgh Airport, affecting both outbound and inbound services. The issue was localized and was not connected to the global Cloudflare outage, although the timing of the two events caused initial confusion. The fault was identified quickly, and the airport worked swiftly to resolve the problem, allowing operations to resume around 10:45 AM.

The suspension caused a major backlog, with numerous flights delayed or canceled. One of the most notable disruptions was the diversion of a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Dublin, which was forced to land in Ireland due to the air traffic control issue. Other inbound flights were also affected, with several needing to be diverted or rerouted to nearby airports.

Where Did the Disruption Occur?

The IT fault was confined to Edinburgh Airport, located in Scotland. However, the impact was felt internationally, as flights to and from the airport were affected, especially those involving long-haul international travel. The Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Edinburgh was a high-profile example of the disruption, as it was forced to divert to Dublin, Ireland, creating delays for passengers.

Additionally, passengers traveling to the UK from Dublin and other European cities were also affected by the suspension, as flights to Edinburgh were either delayed or canceled altogether.

Why Did This Happen?

The issue was caused by an IT failure within the air traffic control systems at Edinburgh Airport. These systems, provided by Air Navigation Solutions (ANS), are crucial for managing air traffic and ensuring safe and efficient operations. When the systems failed, the airport had no choice but to suspend all flights until the issue was resolved. Although this occurred on the same day as the global Cloudflare outage, the two incidents were unrelated.

The cause of the IT fault was investigated immediately, and airport authorities worked with ANS to restore services. The disruption was resolved in less than two hours, but the effect on passengers was significant, especially for international travelers.

How Did This Affect Travelers?

The immediate impact of the IT fault at Edinburgh Airport was felt by thousands of travelers, with many flights delayed or canceled. In particular, the Delta Air Lines flight from New York was a major disruption, as the aircraft was diverted to Dublin, causing passengers to be stranded in Ireland before they could be rerouted or continue their journey. Other travelers faced long delays as they were stuck on aircraft parked on the tarmac for extended periods.

Some passengers were forced to find alternative flights or accommodations, while others waited for updates on when they would be able to depart. With the busy holiday season approaching, these delays caused major inconvenience for many passengers traveling to and from the United States, Ireland, and the UK.

How Did Edinburgh Airport Respond?

In response to the IT fault, Edinburgh Airport quickly clarified that the issue was localized and not connected to the Cloudflare outage. The airport assured passengers that it was working diligently to resolve the issue, and operations were restored by 10:45 AM local time.

Despite the brief duration of the disruption, the effects were significant. The airport communicated regularly with passengers, offering updates on flight statuses and working with airlines to manage rerouted flights and ensure the smooth continuation of operations once the systems were back online.

When Was Normal Operations Restored?

Edinburgh Airport resumed full operations by 10:45 AM, just under two hours after the shutdown began. Once air traffic control systems were restored, flights resumed, and the airport began managing the backlog of affected flights. However, the delay still impacted travelers throughout the day, especially those on international routes.

What Impact Did This Incident Have?

The IT fault at Edinburgh Airport had a significant impact on international air travel, particularly for travelers coming from or heading to New York, Dublin, and other major cities. The diversion of the Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Dublin was one of the most notable consequences of the disruption. Passengers were forced to disembark in Ireland, causing them to be stranded before they could continue their journey.

In addition to the disruptions for passengers, the incident raised concerns about the reliability of air traffic control systems, especially as airports and airlines continue to modernize their operations. Ensuring the robustness of critical IT infrastructure is essential for preventing similar disruptions in the future.

Conclusion

The IT failure at Edinburgh Airport caused significant flight disruptions, particularly affecting travelers flying from the United States, Ireland, and the UK. Although the issue was resolved quickly, the ripple effect of delays, cancellations, and diversions left many passengers stranded or inconvenienced. As air travel continues to grow, ensuring the security and reliability of air traffic control systems will be critical in preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.