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To have one air traffic control failure in a fortnight may be regarded as a misfortune, to have two looks like carelessness. The UK’s air traffic services provider is coming in for a wave of criticism at the moment, so where is it all leading?

The incident at the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) main control centre in Swanwick earlier this month was extremely serious. It caused more than 2,000 flight cancellations over two days, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. Some were left sleeping on airport floors, others were stranded in foreign airports.

Monday’s failure at the Prestwick centre, which looks after air traffic in Scotland, northern England and northern Ireland was not as dramatic. But according to the aviation analytics company Cirium, it still led to about 150 flights being cancelled and many other delays affecting tens of thousands of travellers.

The first failure this month was attributed to a previously undetected software flaw, which had an impact due to a very specific set of circumstances combining in a millisecond. Today’s issue was blamed on a “connectivity issue” specific to the system used in Scotland. The two, Nats says, were unrelated.

But this is becoming worryingly familiar territory.

In August 2023, on a bank holiday weekend, a problem with a single aircraft’s flight plan caused a key system at Swanwick to break down, leading to cancellations and delays that affected 700,000 passengers.

Two years later, a smaller “radar-related issue” disrupted air traffic for four hours, and led to the cancellation of 150 flights.

The question is whether all of these incidents were isolated and unavoidable, or whether they point to something more systemic.

This article was written by

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Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

This article was written by

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Airbus is increasing its workforce at Broughton in Flintshire by nearly 900, or 15 per cent, as it expands wing production to meet a backlog of nearly 5,500 orders for its A321 single-aisle jet.

The company is announcing today that it is taking on 430 workers in addition to the 6,000 already employed at the Broughton complex, its global hub for wing production. Airbus has confirmed that it expects to take on a similar number or more next year.

It will also put an extra £150m into the site to repurpose the West Factory, which was left empty in 2020 when Airbus stopped building wings for the double-decker A380 superjumbo. The building has been used as a warehouse since then.

Former A380 plant to build A321 wings

The West Factory will be retooled to build wings for the A321, the stretch version of the single-aisle family, which can carry 240 passengers.

In its XLR, or extra long range, version, the A321 can fly from the UK to the east coast of the United States and to the superhubs of the Gulf states. It is the aircraft most in demand with airlines, and Airbus has a backlog of nearly 5,500 of the planes to fulfil.

Jerome Blandin, head of Airbus Wing, said the repurposing of the old A380 production plant is “a fundamental part, the finishing touch” of plans for Airbus to make more than 1,000 aircraft a year before the end of the decade.

“This is the busiest Broughton will ever have been. We have been challenged to deliver more and faster,” Blandin said.

The site has faced pressure on its workforce before. Last year Unite members at the plant planned a 10-day walkout over pay, which Business Matters reported could disrupt Airbus assembly lines in Europe, China and the US because the plant makes wings for all its commercial aircraft.

Delivery targets

The hiring comes as Airbus tries to lift output that slowed during the pandemic and the supply chain dislocations that followed.

The company delivered 793 aircraft in 2025 and, as chief executive Guillaume Faury told its annual press conference, aims for around 870 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2026. That would only return it to about where it was before the pandemic, when it delivered 863 aircraft in 2019.

In the first eight months of this year Airbus delivered 475 aircraft. That means its final assembly lines, mainly in Toulouse in France, will have to average around 100 aircraft a month for the rest of the year to reach the target.

The expansion also widens the gap with its American rival, Boeing, which has a delivery target of 670 aircraft for the year.

Wider UK footprint

Broughton is one of several UK sites where Airbus designs and builds wings and fuselage components. According to Airbus, the site has received more than £2bn of investment over the past decade. The company’s UK presence is set to grow further after it agreed to take on around 3,000 staff in Belfast and Prestwick as part of Boeing’s deal for Spirit AeroSystems, which Business Matters reported would take its total UK headcount to about 14,000.

About the author

Jamie Young

Jamie Young is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, covering SME finance, employment law and Westminster policy since 2016. He has reported on every Budget and Autumn Statement since 2018, helped make sense of the ‘covid era’ and the bounce-back loan scheme from launch through the fraud investigations, and broke the magazine’s coverage of the 2024 late-payment reforms. He joined Business Matters straight from completing his BA in Administration from Exeter University and is NCTJ-qualified. Reach him at jyoung@cbmeg.co.uk

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An equipment outage has grounded planes at some major airports in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania on Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

“The FAA is pausing flights into Philadelphia International, Teterboro and Newark Liberty International airports due to issues with some frequencies at Philadelphia TRACON,” the FAA told Fox News in a statement earlier Monday.

Since the statement, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Westchester County Airport have also faced ground stops due to an equipment outage, according to the FAA website.

LAGUARDIA SHUTS DOWN RUNWAY FOR SECOND TIME IN WEEKS AFTER PAVEMENT ISSUE RESURFACES

Air traffic control tower at Philadelphia International Airport, the airport 6-year-old Casper left from while heading to Florida.  (John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said Philly TRACON lost their primary circuit, and when they switched to the backups, they learned the fiber optic cable had a break.

Bedford said the TRACON may come back on at 1:30 p.m. ET if the new circuit is installed. The fiber optic cable, however, will take around 13 hours to fix.

An Airbus A320 plane, operated by JetBlue Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWK) in front of the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City on Jan. 15, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.  (Al Drago/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters that “these are issues that, aren’t new to us.”

“We know these problems can happen. We know these cuts can happen,” Duffy said, adding that the department has been working to upgrade FAA equipment and its telecom architecture. 

“As we work through all the new equipment, all the new architecture of our telecom, which is fans, it all takes money. That’s why we have a holistic view of everything, including how we rework our telecom,” Duffy said.

A United Airlines Airbus A320 passenger jet taxis on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport in the New York City borough of Queens on Sept. 7, 2016.  (Robert Alexander/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Duffy said the work is being done before the department has secured all the necessary money, adding that “when we get the cash” the department will be able to hasten progress. 

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“But this is not shocking,” Duffy said of the equipment outage.

Neither Bedford nor Duffy went into details on when the ground stops could be lifted, though the FAA website provided estimated times as early as 2:45 p.m. ET.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

By Emily Balsamo

Benchmark Grain and Oilseed futures have recorded strong price growth in recent weeks driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts, adverse weather in key growing regions, and tighter-than-expected supply forecasts. While agricultural commodity prices typically peak during the summer months as old-crop inventories draw down ahead of the autumn harvest, price movement this late summer and early fall has been further amplified by exogenous market shocks.

Within the CME Group Agriculture Index, a broad-based, volume-weighted benchmark designed to track the aggregate performance of the global agricultural complex, grains and oilseed constituents have taken the lead on growth. Since the beginning of August, both Corn and Oat futures have each posted a greater than 12% return as of mid-September, followed by Kansas City Wheat, Rough Rice, Soybeans and Soybean Meal, each increasing more than 8% in continuous futures prices.

Corn and Soybeans Face Cost Pressures and Tighter WASDE Stocks

U.S. corn and soybean producers reported strong margin pressure during late summer, with regional farmers describing the situation as the most acute operational crisis, for many, in decades. The ongoing conflict with Iran drove global energy costs higher, pushing regional agricultural diesel prices up by more than 40% alongside elevated fertilizer expenses. Despite these cost headwinds and broader trade friction, U.S. corn exports have remained steady at an estimated 20% of total annual production, bolstered by strong domestic ethanol demand.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress report in September indicated that corn maturity fell slightly below five-year historical averages, with 56% of the national crop rated in good-to-excellent condition. The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports, however, have provided a bullish catalyst. In August, the USDA revised its national corn yield estimate downward to 180.7 bushels per acre and reduced projected domestic ending stocks, both coming in below average trade expectations.

In response, continuous Corn futures broke above the $5.00 per bushel threshold during the monthly rally. The September 11, 2026, WASDE report further decreased corn yield estimates, this time to 178.5 bushels per acre, meeting expectations at release. Corn ending stocks were correspondingly reduced, sustaining high prices.

The soybean market similarly overcame early-season pressure ahead of the impending autumn harvest. While the August WASDE trimmed the national soybean yield forecast to 52.7 bushels per acre, an expanded harvested area calculation modestly increased projected domestic ending stocks. Continuous Soybean futures, nevertheless, advanced over 9.5% in the month of August, sustained by solid domestic crush margins and resilient international purchases. Soybean ending stocks were further reduced on the September WASDE, reinforcing August pricing.

Within the Soybean futures complex, Soybean Oil futures sustained early-summer gains despite mid-month volatility triggered by potential Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, which threatened to dampen domestic biofuel feedstock demand. Robust industrial demand and elevated crushing activity ultimately offset regulatory concerns. Meanwhile, Soybean Meal futures rose on the back of strong export commitments and steady domestic livestock feed consumption.

War Disruptions and Climate Volatility Drive Wheat, Oats and Rice

While corn and soybean markets reacted to Middle Eastern geopolitical developments, wheat markets experienced sharp upward pressure due to escalating disruptions in the Black Sea region. War-related damages to port infrastructure reduced year-over-year agricultural exports from Ukraine and Russia by 75% and 50%, respectively. Continuous Chicago Soft Red Winter Wheat futures, widely seen as a stand-in for global winter wheat, jumped significantly.

Global wheat supply tightness was further exacerbated by climatic factors. El Niño conditions have impaired international yields, while lingering midwestern drought conditions resulted in lower-than-expected U.S. production of both soft and hard red winter wheats.

Rough Rice futures climbed this quarter to hit an 18-month high. Price gains were bolstered by low domestic production, while uncertainties in India – where erratic monsoon precipitation prompted market participants to price in yield risk premiums for the 2026/27 crop year – added further support.

Oat futures have risen on sentiment that shifted sharply during the second half of August following reported reduced oat seeded acreage, combined with localized cool, wet weather that delayed Western Canadian harvest operations.

Looking Ahead

While oats and winter wheat have already completed their annual harvests, corn and soybeans have crops yet to reap as of early September and are thus still vulnerable to weather-based supply disruption. Though the preponderance of weather variability has passed this crop year, geopolitical volatility may prove the new normal as market attention turns to stocks and demand over the winter.

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Editor’s Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

CAMDEN, NJ. — Pepperidge Farm, a Campbell’s Co. brand, is debuting Goldfish crackers with 6 grams of protein per serving.

The crackers are baked and formulated with cheese Pepperidge Farm said. They come in two flavors: cheddar and pizza.

“Protein has become a bigger priority for many families, whether it’s after school, between activities or on the go,” said Tiphanie Maronta, senior vice president of Goldfish Crackers. “Goldfish made with 6g of protein is our way of meeting that need with a snack that’s both delicious and familiar, combining the iconic Goldfish experience people love, now with 6g of protein in a way that fits seamlessly into families’ everyday routines.”

Protein-filled Goldfish will launch at Walmart and other grocery store chains in October before expanding to US retailers in early 2027 for a suggested retail price of $3.99 per 6.6-oz bag.

The September effect appears to be in full swing, as major market indexes have struggled during this historically slow month.

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC), Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI), and Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) have fallen by 1%, 3%, and 0.3%, respectively, over the last two weeks, as of this writing. A rate hike from the Federal Reserve, stubbornly high oil prices, and AI concerns have put pressure on stocks, and a rattled bond market has renewed recession fears.

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While all of these headwinds don’t necessarily mean a bear market is around the corner, it never hurts to prepare. And according to Warren Buffett, an upcoming downturn could be a lucrative opportunity for smart investors.

Bad news makes for smart buying opportunities

In 2008, Buffett wrote an opinion piece for The New York Times. The U.S. was about a year into the Great Recession at the time, and many investors were deeply discouraged. However, Buffett reassured investors that all recessions are temporary and that the good periods outlast the bad.

He added that the best buying opportunities arise during market downturns, when stocks are far more affordable.

“[I]n the early 1980s, the time to buy stocks was when inflation raged and the economy was in the tank,” he noted. “In short, bad news is an investor’s best friend. It lets you buy a slice of America’s future at a marked-down price.”

The most lucrative strategy, according to history

Bear markets are daunting, but decades of history prove that “buying the dip” can set you up for lucrative long-term returns.

When Buffett offered this advice in October 2008, the S&P 500 had plunged by nearly 40% over the past year, and it still had more to fall before bottoming out in 2009. Yet if you’d invested in an S&P 500 ETF in 2008, you’d have earned total returns of more than 1,000% by today.

^SPX data by YCharts

On the other hand, say you’d decided to sit out of investing until, say, March 2013 — when the S&P 500 officially reached a new all-time high and entered a bull market.

At the time, that may have felt like a much safer time to invest. The recession was over, stocks were steadily climbing, and the market had plenty of potential still ahead. Yet by today, you’d have only earned total returns of around 518%.

^SPX data by YCharts

The most effective way to build long-term wealth in the stock market is to invest during all of the market’s cycles — both good and bad.

“You might think it would have been impossible for an investor to lose money during a century marked by such an extraordinary gain,” Buffett said in the Times article, referencing the Dow’s astronomical rise throughout the 20th century. “But some investors did. The hapless ones bought stocks only when they felt comfort in doing so and then proceeded to sell when the headlines made them queasy.”

When the headlines start making you queasy, that’s a key sign that it’s time to load up on quality stocks that will generate life-changing wealth over time.

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Warren Buffett Says Bear Markets Are an “Investor’s Best Friend.” Decades of History Prove He’s 100% Right. was originally published by The Motley Fool

BOSTON — Hormel Foods Corp.’s Foodservice business unit accounts for approximately one-third of company-wide sales and half of its profits. The ascension of the business unit within the organization reflects the pressures foodservice operators are under to better manage costs and streamline operations.

“I think if you step back and look at our Foodservice performance over time, we have proven the business model we have to be very unique and durable to grow even in down markets when industry challenges persist,” said John Ghingo, president of the company, during a Sept. 9 presentation at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended July 26, Hormel’s Foodservice business segment profit rose 3% to $144.5 million from $141 million the year before. Quarterly sales rose 2% to $1 billion from $987 million the year before.

Ghingo identified three attributes of the business unit he sees fueling additional growth.

“One is our value-added portfolio and the innovation we continue to bring to that portfolio,” he said. “We need to continue to create more value.”

Second is the company’s direct sales team that works with operators to communicate the strengths of the Foodservice unit to operators.

“Our direct sales force is truly a unique engine of culture, talent, capability, and the work they do with our operator partners is critical,” Ghingo said. “They’re gathering insights. They’re building relationships. They’re being creative and solving problems in the kitchen with the operator partners and then bringing back solutions.

“And, so, when you’re doing that even in a challenged environment, you can grow the top line because those operators will gravitate to the partner who’s solving the problems they’re dealing with.”

Hormel Foods’ Flash 180 chicken platform is an example of how the Foodservice business unit is serving its customers.

| Photo: ©EXQUISINE – STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Finally, Ghingo said Hormel’s diversified foodservice customer base is an opportunity for the company.

“So, whether you’re talking commercial, noncommercial, independence chains, geographic diversity, channel diversity,” he said. “So, that gives us the opportunity to play different channels where we see pockets of growth and pockets of opportunity to keep the growth engine going.”

An effective foodservice solution identified by Ghingo is Hormel’s Flash 180 chicken platform.

“If you look at the demand space in foodservice around breaded chicken, it’s one of the fastest-growing areas,” he said. “Consumers, diners want more breaded chicken, whether it be chicken tenders, whether it be fried chicken sandwiches, but if you’re an operator … (and) you want to sell more chicken, it gets difficult.

“You’re bringing raw chicken (and) it takes time; you have to handle it; you have to batter/bread in the fryer, 10 to 12 minutes. So, we’re bringing through our Flash 180 chicken platform. One-hundred and eighty seconds from package to plate, pre-prepped. So, it’s super simple to execute (that) saves time …. So, that’s an example of a solution.”