Poland hit by nationwide air traffic control system failure, departures disrupted

A major failure in Poland’s air traffic management system on the morning of July 19 has disrupted flight operations across the country, causing significant delays at multiple airports, including Warsaw.

While aircraft have been permitted to land, departures were suspended for several hours due to the malfunction. Authorities began gradually restoring operations shortly before noon, Caliber.Az reports, citing Polish media.

“Due to an IT system failure at the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PAŻP), flight departures are currently impossible nationwide. However, landings are taking place in accordance with standard procedures,” Warsaw Chopin Airport said in an official statement.

PAŻP spokesperson Marcin Hadaj confirmed the incident, stating: “A malfunction occurred this morning in the air traffic management system. Planes are landing, but restrictions have been imposed on departures at certain airports in Poland.”

Hadaj noted that the situation remains fluid and efforts are underway to identify the source of the failure. “We are doing everything we can to enable all scheduled departures from Polish airports to proceed as soon as possible,” he told reporters.

At Warsaw Chopin Airport, the disruption left passengers stranded on planes for up to three hours, waiting on the tarmac to take off, according to a report from RMF FM.

“We ask passengers to monitor updates from the airports and their respective airlines,” Chopin Airport advised in a message shared via Facebook.

By Tamilla Hasanova