A technical failure at the Eurocontrol air traffic management center in Brussels has caused widespread flight disruptions and schedule delays across European airspace. The Israel Airports Authority announced on Monday evening that passengers traveling through Ben Gurion Airport should expect extended delays on incoming and outgoing flights while air traffic controllers work to restore normal operations.
Eurocontrol, an intergovernmental organization based in Brussels, coordinates air traffic control across Europe, managing route planning, flight regulation, and slot allocations. Although authorities reported that the technical malfunction was resolved, the resulting backlog created severe congestion across European flight paths, leading to localized delays for numerous airlines.
Airlines operating in the region reported that the slot allocation system collapsed completely, prompting the implementation of an emergency response plan. "The slot allocation system at Eurocontrol crashed, and an European emergency plan was activated that will dramatically affect the number of approved takeoffs from all European airports," airline representatives stated.
The Israel Airports Authority warned that there is a high probability of prolonged delays for flights over the coming hours. The authority recommended that all passengers monitor updated flight schedules directly with their respective airlines prior to arriving at the airport.
This incident follows a separate technical issue reported a day prior involving radar systems in Greece, which had already placed pressure on regional flight corridors. The combination of system failures has disrupted hundreds of flights, leaving passengers facing extended waiting times and potential cancellations.
According to statements provided by aviation officials to Reuters, Eurocontrol coordinates both civil and military air traffic synchronization, meaning system disruptions rapidly ripple through global flight networks. Local airport authorities emphasized that the technical glitch was entirely beyond their operational control.
