Flight Disruptions
Loganair flights canceled after Kirkwall Airport air traffic control closure

Loganair flights canceled after Kirkwall Airport air traffic control closure

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Checked by Alice Mariscoti-Wyatt

Last updated on 29 October 2026

Affected airports

Affected airlines

Affected airports

Affected airlines

Disruption overview

An unexpected air traffic control staffing issue at Kirkwall Airport disrupted Loganair connections with Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport on 28 and 29 October 2026.

The tower closed from 6:00 pm on Wednesday, with further brief closures planned for Thursday and cancellations affecting evening services and the next morning's Kirkwall–Aberdeen flight.

Loganair should arrange rebooking, welfare support, and overnight accommodation where needed. The airline has added a Thursday afternoon Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service departing Edinburgh at 3:30 pm.

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Disruption details

Loganair flights between Orkney, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen were canceled after air traffic control at Kirkwall Airport closed early on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The closure started at 6:00 pm because of unforeseen staffing issues, with further short closures planned for Thursday, 29 October.

For affected passengers, this meant rearranged journeys and, in some cases, an overnight stay. If you're traveling on these routes, Loganair should contact affected customers directly and arrange alternative flights where possible.

The disruption affected a limited number of services linking Kirkwall Airport with Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport. Canceled services included:

The evening Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service on Wednesday, 28 October.
The Aberdeen–Kirkwall flight on Wednesday, 28 October.
The morning Kirkwall–Aberdeen service on Thursday, 29 October.

Highlands and Islands Airport Limited, which manages the air traffic control tower, linked the closure to unexpected staffing problems. The operator apologized for the disruption and advised passengers to contact their airline for the latest travel information.

Loganair said the issue was outside its control. The airline is providing welfare support and overnight accommodation where needed, as well as moving customers onto earlier flights where possible.

To help passengers complete their journeys, Loganair also announced an additional Edinburgh–Kirkwall return service for Thursday afternoon. The extra flight is scheduled to leave Edinburgh at 3:30 pm on 29 October.

Compensation under UK 261 is unlikely for these cancellations because the air traffic control staffing issue was outside Loganair's control. That doesn't mean passengers are without support: if your flight is canceled, you can ask about rebooking or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Care and assistance can also include food and refreshments during a long wait, plus accommodation if you're left away from home overnight. Contact Loganair to confirm your arrangements and the support you need.

Know your rights

These are your air passenger rights

When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under UK 261 and other applicable laws.

Rerouting or refund

If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Care and assistance

Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.

Accommodation

If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.

Communication

Under UK 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour. No compensation when a disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances, as this appears to be.

This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.

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Quick facts

Summary

Disruption

Cancellations

Cause

Other

Status

Current disruption

Compensation

Not eligible for compensation

Airlines affected

Loganair

Airports affected

Kirkwall Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Dyce Airport

Cities affected

Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Aberdeen

Countries affected

United Kingdom

Start date

2026-10-28

End date

2026-10-29

Checked by

Alice Mariscoti-Wyatt

Date updated

29 October 2026

What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked

If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.

Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, cancelled, or overbooked.

Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.

Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.

Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.

Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.

Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.

If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.

Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.

Information on this page is AI generated, but always checked by a (human) passenger right expert.

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