Stansted Airport IT Glitch Triggers Hours of Delays for Passengers
Stansted delays today have thrown travel plans into chaos for thousands of passengers after a sudden IT fault caused operations to grind to a halt. From early this morning, long queues formed both inside and outside the terminal, with many travellers stuck for hours or missing their flights altogether. It’s yet another reminder of how quickly things can go wrong when airport systems fail.
The disruption began before sunrise, as technical problems affected key areas like check-in, baggage handling and security. By 7am, queues were snaking well beyond the building, with frustrated passengers posting photos and updates from the scene. For those flying short-haul or on tight connections, the delays were especially difficult to work around.
Although airport teams managed to restore the systems by mid-morning, the knock-on effect continued well into the day. Flights were delayed, boarding gates were closed while passengers were still stuck in security lines, and several people were left trying to rebook or seek compensation for missed connections. The ripple effect, as with many such incidents, didn’t stop when the fault was fixed.
Travellers voiced their concerns, with some reporting that they had arrived two hours early and still couldn’t get through in time.
“People are queuing outside the terminal just to get into the building,”
one passenger said, describing a morning that felt more like a crowd control issue than a check-in queue.
While Stansted delays today are gradually easing, passengers due to fly in the next 24 hours are being urged to check their flight status directly with their airline. Airport staff say they’re working through the backlog and expect things to return to normal soon, but those with early departures tomorrow might still feel the effects.
For anyone affected, there’s guidance available on what to do in the event of a missed or delayed flight, including advice on rebooking and baggage issues, via this passenger rights overview.
It’s not the first time UK travellers have faced widespread disruption tied to a technical fault, and likely won’t be the last. While today’s issue was specific to Stansted, it raises wider questions about system resilience across the UK’s travel infrastructure, particularly during peak times.
If you’re planning to travel soon, it’s worth arriving early, double-checking your flight’s status, and giving yourself some buffer. As ever, when the unexpected hits, a bit of preparation can make all the difference.
For more updates on airport disruption, passenger rights and UK travel advice, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
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