The UK aviation sector experienced unprecedented disruption following a critical technical failure at the National Air Traffic Services, resulting in the cancellation of over 2,000 flights across major hubs including Heathrow and Gatwick. Martin Rolfe, the air traffic control chief, faces mounting pressure and has been allocated a week to devise solutions addressing the system's vulnerability. The incident highlights infrastructure fragility within Britain's busiest airports and raises questions about contingency protocols and operational resilience in modern air traffic management.

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