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AIBU?

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Original poster

Air traffic control— cyber attack?

133 replies

Stableunicorns · 08/09/2026 16:54

DH is on a work trip abroad. Due to fly back to London this evening but his flight has been cancelled due to “air traffic control issues”. Currently rescheduled to tomorrow morning.

I look online and find references to “delays and cancellations”. But given that his flight has been completely cancelled, not just delayed, hours in advance, suggests to me that there’s a massive problem and it’s being downplayed by the authorities.

AIBU to think there’s been a cyber attack and we’re not being told the full story?

OP posts:
Muffsies · 08/09/2026 17:08

My mind jumped to the same suspicion at first. I'm just waiting for a huge cyber attack (or stray experimental AI that's gone bandit) on satalites or banking systems.. It's probably not what has happened here tho.

Luckily airlines have so many fail-safes and backups, and they'd always err on the side of caution, try not to worry op.

hotmumshit · 08/09/2026 17:07

😳😳 I havent stocked up on supplies like we were told to

If Russia could wait til payday, that would be amazing xx

CaptainCalm · 08/09/2026 17:04

Speaking as someone in the cyber industry, of course it could be a cyber attack, it’s a reasonable assumption along with other non-malicious causes. Their systems are very well protected but of course there is always a chance.

Hope your DH gets home soon, I’m away in Singapore and due to return Friday morning. Not entirely hopeful for a smooth journey

beigetriangle · 08/09/2026 17:01

malaysia? diversions/cancellations due to the volcano?

alias647 · 08/09/2026 17:00

Probably cancelled because unless they can get the planes that should have left out, then they won’t be able to fit in the ones that are due to depart? So the sensible thing to do is cancel rather than keep delaying it.

Iseeyourattentionseekingwedontneedit · 08/09/2026 17:00

Quite a big jump.
I'd assume that they know where the planes are now and know that

  1. They can't get the plane to the destination on time,
  2. If they can get the plane to the destination the staff will be beyond their hours so cant fly back without their rest period,
  3. Cancelling some flights will help get everything back on track quicker.
It could be a cyber attack but theres lots of other possibilities so best to wait and see.
Electricsausages · 08/09/2026 17:00

NATs is saying the radar is down

DoloresDelEriba · 08/09/2026 16:55

That’s quite a jump OP

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