Saigon-Heathrow Flight Diverted to Frankfurt as UK Air Traffic Control Glitch Triggers Major Disruption

Passengers on Vietnam Airlines flight VN51 from Saigon to Heathrow were diverted to Frankfurt after a major air traffic control system failure disrupted flights across the UK on September 8. Footage filmed by Guardian journalist Rory Symon shows rows of black folding cots set up inside Frankfurt Airport, while passengers receive water and snacks and supplies are brought in. The NATS system failure led to more than 1,000 flight cancellations and widespread delays, leaving thousands of passengers affected across British airports. With Heathrow restricting arrivals, many passengers from the diverted flight were forced to remain in transit overnight in Frankfurt. Symon initially described the airport scene as “absurd”, before later reporting that reasonable alternative hotel accommodation had been arranged for some passengers. Video credit: Rory Symon