Flights across Britain were disrupted again today after a further “technical issue” at an air traffic control centre left passengers facing fresh delays and cancellations.

Airports in Scotland and northern England, including Glasgow and Manchester, were among the worst affected. Disruption was also reported at London City, Luton and Belfast airports.

A total of 35 flights due to leave the UK had been cancelled or failed to operate by today, while 37 scheduled arrivals were also scrapped, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.

The latest disruption came just two weeks after an air traffic control failure on September 8 resulted in more than 2,000 cancellations at airports including London Heathrow and Gatwick.

It has added to the pressure on Nats chief executive Martin Rolfe, who was already facing calls to resign following the previous outage.

Ryanair said Mr Rolfe “should resign today” after claiming that more than 25,000 of its passengers had been affected, with 140 flights delayed this morning. The airline said: “Enough is enough.”

EasyJet said the latest failure “calls into question the resilience of NATS’s systems”. British Airways described the incident as “disappointing” and warned passengers to expect disruption, while Jet2 said customers and airlines needed “action, accountability and proper resilience”.

NATS, or National Air Traffic Services, attributed the problem to a “connectivity issue with part of our systems network”. It said the disruption was “unrelated to the issue two weeks ago”, when an estimated 330,000 passengers were affected by a software defect.

Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast International and Belfast City airports recorded the highest numbers of cancellations, “no fly” flights or services delayed by at least three hours.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, the shadow minister for defence procurement, said: “Whether our air traffic control is hopelessly flawed or being actively targeted by hostile states, it’s clear that NATS is currently a huge vulnerability to the UK.

“The Burnham Government talks a good game on national resilience, but the reality is that it has done nothing to ensure our key national infrastructure is robust in the face of existing and emerging threats.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she understood how “deeply frustrating” the outage would be for passengers, but confirmed that engineers had fixed the problem.

Lewis Fraser, a passenger from Inverness, said he was stranded on the runway at Glasgow Airport and feared missing his connecting flight from Heathrow to Chicago.

He told BBC News: “We boarded the flight as normal but were immediately told we were delayed. The latest update was around half an hour ago to say we might be waiting another hour and 45 minutes.”

“Some passengers have left the plane in the last few minutes. I’m on the 8am flight to Heathrow and due to fly to Chicago for work at 12.15, but that now looks unlikely… They’ve given us tea and snacks.”

Passengers on a Virgin Atlantic service from Manchester to Orlando, Florida, applauded when they were told their aircraft would finally be departing.

Lisa, from Bury, told the Manchester Evening News: “We were meant to leave at 9.15am, which was delayed to 9.40am overnight. After we boarded, we were told there was a two-hour delay, then we were told we wouldn’t be leaving until 1.50pm.

‘There were a lot of unhappy passengers and a lot of groaning. We had plans tonight which we were preparing to cancel. Luckily we’ve just had an update saying they’re ready to go. Everyone clapped when they found out.’

She added: ‘The staff were really good, they started some entertainment and brought round some water. The captain offered passengers to come and speak to him while we were delayed. Everyone just seems relieved to be departing.’

Steve Davies, 74, from Evesham, Worcestershire, was among those stuck at Birmingham Airport today while waiting to travel with easyJet to Edinburgh.

Mr Davies and his wife boarded the plane, before they were told to disembark after 45 minutes. About 20 people left to go home because they did not wish to wait.

He told BBC News: ‘We are feeling tired after an early start, and quite uncertain about what is happening. I’m cheesed off with air traffic control as it seems to be happening a lot. It’s not easyJet’s fault.’

A NATS spokesman said: ‘Early this morning, we experienced a technical issue at our Prestwick centre in Scotland. To maintain safety, air traffic regulations were applied to manage traffic demand while our engineers investigated.

‘The issue has now been fixed and we are working closely with airports and airlines to safely remove the remaining air traffic restrictions as quickly as possible to minimise any further disruption.

‘This was a connectivity issue with part of our systems network, specific to the operation in Scotland. It is nothing to do with the problem we had earlier this month.

‘We apologise to passengers for the disruption and thank them for their patience. Passengers should continue to check with their airline for the latest information on their flight.’

NATS had said in an earlier statement: ‘Airports south of Manchester are broadly unaffected, however flights heading north and flights departing Scottish airports are currently subject to some delay.’

EasyJet said the latest flight disruption ‘calls into question the resilience of NATS’s systems’ after two air traffic control problems within one month.

The airline said in a statement: ‘A Nats air traffic control system failure in its Prestwick centre is causing delays to flights with some unable to operate.

‘This, once again, calls into question the resilience of Nats’ systems and demonstrates the need for firm actions to prevent these repeated failures.

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‘We will do all we can minimise the impact of this for our customers and advise anyone due to fly today to check our flight tracker for the latest information.’

Ryanair said more than 25,000 of its passengers are expected to be disrupted after the latest air traffic control incident and repeated its called for Mr Rolfe to resign.

Chief operations officer Neal McMahon said: ‘Just three days after NATS assured airlines and passengers that it had introduced robust ‘mitigation plans’, its flight data processing system has failed again.

‘More than 25,000 Ryanair passengers have already suffered disruption, with over 140 Ryanair flights delayed, yet Nats still cannot tell passengers when this disruption will end.

‘Martin Rolfe’s report claimed that another failure was ‘unlikely’ and that NATS could recover more quickly if one occurred. Those claims have been exposed as completely worthless.

‘Just three days later, passengers are once again suffering lengthy delays because Nats has failed to deliver either a reliable system or an effective back-up.’

He added: ‘Martin Rolfe has presided over repeated system failures, repeated passenger disruption and repeated failures to deliver an effective back-up system.

‘Enough is enough. Martin Rolfe should resign today.’

And a British Airways spokesman said: ‘Yet another technical fault with NATS means some of our customers are likely to experience disruption to their travel plans today.

‘This is disappointing, and whilst it is an issue that is entirely out of our control, we’re doing everything we can to limit the impact on customers and are keeping them updated.’

Jet2 has said customers and airlines need ‘action, accountability and proper resilience’ after the latest issue.

Chief executive Steve Heapy said: ‘Once again, airlines and customers are being disrupted by yet another NATS issue, and one has to ask: how many more failures do customers and airlines have to deal with? This morning’s disruption comes days after NATS published a report into its latest major failure, and it is simply not good enough for this critical national infrastructure to keep letting customers down.

‘Customers work hard to look forward to their holidays, and airlines work hard to deliver those holidays. They should not be repeatedly exposed to delays and disruption because the UK’s air traffic control systems cannot be relied upon.

‘There have been too many incidents, too many reports and too many promises of lessons being learned. What customers and airlines need now is action, accountability and proper resilience, and we need it urgently.

‘Our teams will do what they always do in these situations, which is continue to do everything possible to look after customers and recover operations, but it is unacceptable that airlines and customers are left to pick up the pieces when these recurring failures happen.’

He added: ‘Make no mistake, we are counting the cost of this disruption and will be sending another bill to NATS.’

A London City Airport spokesman said: ‘We are experiencing some disruption due to an issue at NATS Prestwick. We are monitoring the situation closely and working with NATS as they resolve the issue.

‘If you’re travelling today, please check with your airline for the latest information on your flight. Our friendly LCY colleagues are in the terminal today as usual to help your journey run smoothly.’

Luton Airport said domestic flights had been disrupted by the air traffic control issue.

A statement said: ‘The air traffic control system operated by Nats at its Prestwick centre is experiencing a technical issue which is impacting flights across the UK including a number of domestic flights to/from London Luton Airport.

‘Passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.’

A Manchester Airport statement said: ‘An air traffic control system operated by NATS has been affected by a technical issue causing delays to flights from some UK airport.

‘Passengers due to travel today are advised to keep an eye out for updates from their airlines.’

A spokesman for Belfast International Airport said: ‘We are currently experiencing some delays to flights due to a NATS Air Traffic Control issue.

‘Passengers who are due to travel should check with their airline for latest information on their flight status. If you do not have a confirmed flight, please do not travel to the airport.’

Liverpool John Lennon Airport said: ‘We are aware of an ongoing technical issue regarding air traffic control operated by NATS at their Prestwick centre in Scotland which is affecting some flights and causing delays this morning.

‘Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest information regarding flights.’

Glasgow Airport owner AGS Airports said the issue was causing delays at the hub, and further disruption is expected due to the knock-on impact.

A spokesperson for AGS, which also owns Aberdeen and Southampton airports, said: ‘A technical issue affecting Nats air traffic control services at the Prestwick centre is causing disruption to some flight departures and arrivals.

‘As a result, some services operating to and from our airports are experiencing delays, primarily at Glasgow Airport, and further disruption is expected due to the knock-on impact across the network.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience caused to passengers.

‘This is the second time in as many weeks that a Nats technical issue has had a significant impact on services operating through our airports and we fully appreciate the frustration this will cause those whose travel plans have been disrupted.

‘We advise passengers to check with their airline for the latest flight information before travelling.’

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited warned flights were being impacted across all the airports the company operates – including Dundee, Inverness, Islay, Stornaway, Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Kirkwall, Tiree, Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats.

It said: ‘Due to a technical issue at Prestwick, flight schedules are currently being impacted across all our airports. Please contact your airline for the latest flight information.’

Regional airline Loganair cancelled a number of flights due to the problem.

As of 9.15am, the airline said it had cancelled ten flights which were due to take place today, saying this was ‘due to NATS air traffic control issues affecting UK airspace’.

This included flights between Glasgow and City of Derry Airport, and flights between the Isle of Man and London City.

Ms Alexander said: ‘There has been a further IT issue affecting NATS. Engineers have fixed the problem and systems are resuming.

‘I know this will be deeply frustrating for passengers after the previous issue. There may be some delays as things reset. Please check with your airline for updates.’

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of the Airlines UK industry body, said: ‘Yet another Nats failure is causing delays and disruption for passengers and airlines alike, and comes just days after its report into the most recent major outage.

‘The UK’s ATC (air traffic control) system is critical national infrastructure and it must be resilient enough to keep people moving.

‘Passengers and airlines deserve better and the independent CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) report, together with the forthcoming Civil Aviation Bill, must address the underlying weaknesses in the system so that these failures stop happening.’

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘Not even two weeks since the last air traffic control disruptions, travellers are once again facing the prospect of delays and cancellations.

‘If you are due to travel today or tomorrow, check the advice from your airport, tour operator, airline apps, or airport social media feeds for the most up to date advice.

‘If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you’re unlikely to be owed compensation by the airline as the technical issue is considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.

‘However, your airline is still responsible for looking after you during a delay. This includes food and drink after two to four hours (depending on how far you are flying) and a hotel if you are stuck overnight.

‘If you end up having to pay for these things yourself, be sure to keep the receipts as you will need to claim this back from the airline.’

Beverley Griffiths, a senior lecturer in security and resilience at Bucks New University, said: ‘The latest disruption highlights the challenge of maintaining resilience in complex, highly interconnected systems.

‘While NATS has confirmed that this incident is unrelated to the technical issue earlier this month, having two significant disruptions within a relatively short period will inevitably raise questions about how critical infrastructure is designed to withstand and recover from unexpected failures.

‘It is important not to draw conclusions about the cause of this latest incident before the investigation is complete.

‘However, from a resilience perspective, the focus should be on understanding what happened, how effectively the system responded and whether there are lessons that could reduce the impact of future disruption.’

A preliminary investigation by NATS into the September 8 outage claimed it was caused by a fault in the software that allocates codes to individual aircraft – and not by ‘any incorrect actions’.

The fault caused flights both in and out of the UK to be axed – impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers with disruption continuing into the following day.

Mr Rolfe faced calls to resign and Ms Alexander said the disruption was ‘completely unacceptable’.

Last July, a ‘radar-related issue’ caused an air traffic control failure which disrupted thousands of passengers and forced the cancellation of more than 160 flights.

In August 2023, more than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports due to a NATS technical glitch while processing a flight plan.

Nats is Britain’s leading provider of air traffic control services and handles about 2.5million flights per year.

The UK government owns 49 per cent of NATS, making it the largest shareholder and giving it a veto over key decisions. Airlines, airports, investors and employees own the remaining shares in the public-private partnership.

The AFL has prepared a contingency plan for the unlikely event that suspended Sydney Swans star Isaac Heeney, pictured at last year’s Brownlow Medal, is crowned the 2026 Brownlow medallist.

Heeney and four Swans teammates — Chad Warner, Nick Blakely, James Jordon and Riley Bice — were stood down for the remainder of the 2026 season following the Pullman East Melbourne scandal and were not invited to attend tonight’s ceremony.

Despite their suspensions, all five players remain eligible for the prestigious award, with Heeney, Warner and Blakely widely expected to poll strongly.

AFL commentator Kane Cornes said Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich is prepared to deliver a speech on Heeney’s behalf if the midfielder wins the Brownlow Medal.

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“There is actually a plan for what happens if Isaac Heeney wins the Brownlow Medal tonight,” Cornes said on SEN.

“I can tell you that Matthew Pavlich will accept Heeney’s Brownlow Medal tonight, and Matthew Pavlich will also read out the speech should — and it’s very unlikely — Isaac Heeney be the Brownlow medallist.”

Charlie Curnow, Brodie Grundy, Logan McDonald and Tom McCartin were among the Swans players who put their Mad Monday celebrations on hold to travel to Melbourne for the ceremony after Friday night’s preliminary final defeat by Fremantle.

In late May, the Christophe de Margerie departed Utrenneye, a remote port on the flat, treeless Siberian shoreline of the Kara Sea. Measuring 299 metres—about the length of three football pitches—the vessel is named for the French oil executive who died in a freak accident at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport in 2014.

The ship is a liquefied natural gas carrier, or LNG tanker, with insulated storage tanks capable of carrying more than 170,000 cubic metres of gas.

It is also an icebreaker. A reinforced double hull and three independently rotating propulsion units enable the Christophe de Margerie to push through ice more than two metres thick.

That capability is crucial for reaching isolated terminals such as Utrenneye, which conventional LNG carriers cannot access for much of the year.

After loading its cargo, the vessel headed east along the coast under the escort of a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker.

Ship-tracking data showed that it passed through the Bering Strait on June 8 before continuing to a floating storage unit off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. There, it unloaded its cargo, which was almost certainly destined for China.

The voyage was not the Christophe de Margerie’s first passage along the route commonly known as the Northern Sea Route. It was, however, the earliest known trip by a commercial vessel: before June, sea ice is usually considered too thick for such a crossing.

The sweeping transformation of the global climate is doing more than producing unusually warm summers in Britain. It is also reshaping geopolitics, with profound consequences for trade corridors, the world economy and national security.

Last week, Donald Trump effectively presented Greenland as an open field for American territorial expansion.

He signed an agreement with Denmark that apparently gives the United States complete responsibility for Greenland’s security. Under the terms described by Fox News, Washington could establish additional military bases there “as needed”.

It remains unclear whether the president’s boastful description will survive scrutiny of the agreement’s fine print. Danish commentators have quickly noted that the United States has long enjoyed broad military freedom of action in Greenland.

Still, Trump’s interest in the Arctic island is not without strategic logic. Over the coming decades, the barren, ice-bound High North is expected to become a geopolitical flashpoint, bringing together crucial shipping lanes, military power and rivalry among the world’s major powers. Against that backdrop, the Christophe de Margerie’s voyage last May may prove considerably more important.

For centuries, mariners were captivated by the prospect of a shorter northern route to Asia. The discovery in the 1490s of Atlantic crossings and a sea passage around Africa’s southern tip into the Indian Ocean opened entirely new horizons, helping trade evolve into a genuinely global system.

The discovery of the Americas had extraordinary consequences, but the routes to Asia offered the greater commercial prize. As today, Asia contained vast populations, prosperous cities and immense wealth waiting to be accessed.

Until the early 16th century, goods reached Europe through a complex web of routes now known as the Silk Roads. These land and maritime networks connected China and India with the Middle East and East Africa, linking societies across enormous distances.

Venice emerged as the principal beneficiary. Its riches enabled the city’s most powerful families to construct magnificent palaces rising from the lagoon at the northern end of the Adriatic.

For merchants in northern and western Europe, discovering a faster route to Asia was a matter not only of efficiency but also of security. The voyage around Africa and the Cape of Good Hope was lengthy and dangerous. It also required ships to sail near Spain and Portugal, whose fleets initially dominated the Atlantic.

By the 1550s, English expeditions were searching for a northeast passage along Scandinavia’s northern coast, through Russian waters and onward towards the Far East. Dutch explorers soon followed, driven by merchants eager to find alternative routes to Asian markets.

Willem Barents ventured furthest, reaching Novaya Zemlya in 1596. The vast Arctic archipelago, beyond Scandinavia and regarded as Europe’s easternmost point, became the limit of his expedition when ice trapped and eventually crushed his ship as winter set in. Barents and his crew endured the following months in extreme cold, constructing a makeshift shelter from timber and other salvaged materials. They survived the winter, but Barents died of illness the next year while attempting to return home. The sea at the Arctic’s western gateway still carries his name: the Barents Sea.

Other attempts fared little better, with the first successful transit not happening until the 1870s when the Finnish-Swedish aristocrat Erik Nordenskjold sailed eastwards, almost reaching the Bering Strait before ice closed around his vessel, the Vega.

Its specially reinforced hull survived the pressure and remained trapped for almost 11 months before the ice melted and the ship continued on, through the strait and down Russia’s Far East coast to Yokohama in Japan. It was the first successful navigation of the Northern Sea route.

Three things have changed today. First, improved technologies mean that ships – such as the Christophe de Margerie – can now push their way through ice during the summer months with relative ease. Second, warming conditions mean that ice is thinner and more broken up; indeed, some stretches are now increasingly ice-free for long durations in the summer.

Although there is some discussion about future projections, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggests that the Arctic Ocean will experience its first practically ice-free summer by 2050. One recent study suggested this will happen as early as the 2030s given current warming patterns. This has major implications for shipping and trade.

Since the early 1990s, much of global manufacturing has moved to China, powering a period of astonishing growth and rising ambition. For those who buy

Chinese-made goods in Europe, the Northern Sea route promises quicker deliveries and lower prices: a journey from Shanghai to Felixstowe currently involves 11,000 miles and takes 35 days – involving a long route across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez

Canal and then transiting the Strait of Gibraltar.

The new northern route is much shorter: last year, Spirit of Istanbul sailed from Ningbo to Felixstowe in just 21 days on a journey almost 30 per cent shorter at just 8,000 miles. That means a quicker turn-around; it also means less fuel. Both mean reduced costs and better returns on capital.

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But the Northern Sea route is not just about savings and profits. It is also a key part of a major reconfiguration that involves the world’s sea lanes, its trading patterns and changing priorities.

In 2005, Yang Huigen, one of China’s leading polar scientists, gave an interview in which he said that the country should aspire to become a ‘polar great power’. It is an ambition that China has pursued with gusto for more than two decades, championed by President Xi Jinping personally who has spoken repeatedly about the importance of the Arctic and Antarctic capabilities. Regular policy papers have stated that the polar regions – together with the seabed and outer space – are ‘strategic frontiers’ that have vital consequences for the country’s place in the world of the 21st century.

Such has been the investment of time, resources and planning that in 2018 China declared that it was a ‘near-Arctic state’, despite the most northern part of the country lying almost 1,000 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

This is a statement of intent more than an indication of territorial ambitions, underpinned in the first instance by the desire to be included in policy decisions and discussions of any international agreements that may have a major impact on China’s economic growth, its political stability and its military posture.

That in turn matters since, as events in other parts of the world have shown, the Northern Sea route is not just about shorter journey times or lower costs but about having options that are as essential as they are valuable.

Since 1869, the fastest way to move between Europe and Asia has been to transit the Suez Canal, a waterway around 120 miles long that saves ships from making the long journey around Africa. The canal – like the Bab al-Mandeb at the mouth of the Red Sea that links to the Indian Ocean – is one of the world’s great shipping routes.

Both are places where relatively minor disruptions can throttle the movement of ships and their cargoes. Their vulnerability makes them obvious pressure points for states, armed groups or terrorists seeking political leverage, ransom payments or demonstrations of power that bring attention to their cause both regionally and beyond.

For the past three years, the Houthis – an armed insurgent group closely aligned with Iran – have severely disrupted shipping going through the Red Sea, by threatening, seizing and attacking commercial vessels.

As well as pushing up insurance premiums, that has also led to a host of shipping companies avoiding this region altogether.

Taken with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint since the US attacks on Iran in February, the need for alternative routes could not be more obvious.

This too raises the significance of the Northern Passage. So far, the number of ships taking this route remains modest, with around 100 vessels reported to have done so last year. But that number will rise in the future. As it does so, it presents commercial opportunities. It also presents challenges and concerns.

In December, the Royal Navy unveiled Atlantic Bastion, a programme combining ships and patrol aircraft with autonomous vessels and underwater sensors to track Russian submarines across the North Atlantic in what senior officers reminded was a return to familiar anxieties about the formidable challenges posed by the Soviet Union’s Northern Fleet during the Cold War.

Just last week, the First Sea Lord, Sir Gwyn Jenkins, gave an important speech warning of increased Russian activities in UK waters. The threats posed by Moscow, he said, are greater today than at any point since 1989 and ‘felt most acutely in the maritime domain, in the North Atlantic, in the High North’.

Just as Iran has understood that the Strait of Hormuz gives leverage, so too does Moscow recognise the influence it could wield as shipping lanes open up along its 15,000-mile Arctic coastline and become more important for global trade. Prowling the waters at either end of the Northern Sea Route are 12 of Russia’s nuclear-armed submarines – six stationed on the Kola Peninsula in the west and six operated by the Pacific Fleet based in Vilyuchinsk on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

In between, Russia has spent years reopening, modernising and fortifying military bases on its Siberian coast, making the route a formidable gauntlet for any rival power.

Most of the American forces in the region – some 22,000 military personnel – are concentrated on Alaska’s northern shore, across eight bases. Greenland, however, could become Washington’s hub of operations in the North Atlantic, if US forces move in following Trump’s agreement with the Danish.

America already operates the Pituffik Space Base on Greenland, and will want to resurrect several of its long-abandoned Second World War bases there to enhance missile warning, space surveillance and satellite capabilities. It was one of these derelict sites – at Gronnedal – that a Chinese firm wanted to buy in 2016, until Denmark blocked the deal on security grounds.

Elsewhere, Nato has a military presence on Canada’s Arctic islands and along Norway’s northern coast. The Norwegians have by far the strongest military presence in the Arctic among its Scandinavian neighbours, with four air bases, including one for its new F-35 fighter jets; two navy bases and a string of army bases.

It also runs the Trondelag Reception Centre, a military hub that can swiftly house Nato troops during an attack. Nearby is Camp Viking, Britain’s main toehold in the region – a hub for the UK’s Commando Force led by the Royal Marines, which is aiming to have a year-round presence there.

All of which is to say that the Arctic could become every bit as much of a tinderbox as the Middle East, were the Northern Passage to open to significant global trade.

Perhaps for that reason, Russia has been wary of over-involving China in its Arctic policy. Although there have been joint training exercises, Moscow has sought to keep its primary geopolitical partner at arm’s length when it comes to the High North.

That is now changing as Russia’s isolation from the West deepens: around half the transits last year either began or ended in China, while Chinese money supports Russian energy projects. Joint exercises also provide an indication of close collaboration across this region.

The Arctic as a whole is not just a new frontier for the study of climate change, for the extraction of minerals or for land grabs; it is a key part of the reality that control of trade routes has always been fundamental to power.

Here in the United Kingdom, as in Europe, there are lots of things we need to be doing to set our house in order.

One of the most important, though, is to understand what is changing, where and why. And another is to not only to look to the East and to the West, or even to the South – as we often do. We need to remember to look to the North too.

Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University.

The 2026 Brownlow Medal ceremony began at Melbourne’s Palladium at Crown on Monday evening.

The AFL’s biggest stars arrived alongside their glamorous partners, who made a statement on the red carpet in daring gowns and skin-baring designs.

James Hird was among the early arrivals, attending the prestigious event for the first time in 14 years with his new partner, Natalie Young.

The former Essendon coach attended following his split from wife Tania last year, ending their 27-year marriage.

Natalie caught attention in a deep pink sequin gown featuring a plunging neckline and a figure-hugging silhouette.

James looked polished in a classic black tuxedo, teamed with a crisp white shirt and matching bow tie.

Josh Daicos’ fiancée Annalise Dalins sparkled on the red carpet, wearing an extraordinary collection of diamonds.

The 27-year-old wore almost $1 million worth of jewellery from Temelli Jewellery.

Her accessories included oversized diamond studs, a diamond ear cuff, multiple rings and bracelets, with the pieces totalling 40 carats.

Annalise matched the lavish jewels with a breathtaking corseted gown by d’Alin Le’ Kal.

The dress featured ruffles and delicate beading across the bodice, while its sheer tulle skirt revealed her slender legs.

She completed the look with an old-Hollywood hairstyle, wearing her blonde hair in voluminous waves with a deep side part.

Rory Lobb’s wife Lexi Mary embraced classic Hollywood glamour in a high-fashion brown gown finished with a striking black feather trim.

The asymmetrical dress featured pleated detailing, hugging her figure before flowing into a short train.

The blonde beauty added warm-toned makeup, with heavily lined eyes and a pink lip gloss.

Western Bulldogs player Rory was dapper in a classic black tuxedo worn with a bow tie.  

Abbey Holmes posed up a storm, ensuring her baby bump was front and centre. 

The Channel 7 sports presenter and former AFLW player stunned in a maroon gown that clung to her blossoming belly.  

Abbey added a chunky gold chain that rested on her decolletage, which matched her bracelet. 

She wore her blonde hair in soft curves and chose a glowing makeup look with nude lipstick. 

Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli brought along his wife, Neila Brenning, who made a very unusual choice for her red carpet appearance. 

The Canadian-born brunette wore a pale blue, satin dress with a black trim and a bright red floral embellishment that very much resembled a dressing gown. 

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Hawthorn player James Sicily had his gorgeous wife Emma in tow, with the child health nurse pretty in pink in an abstract gown with a puffed, low skirt and lace heels. 

Sports presenter Rebecca Madden cut a chic figure in a black lace frock with a plunging neckline that showed off a hint of skin. 

Hawthorn Jack Gunston posed with his gorgeous partner Dani Shreeve, who turned headed in a slinky white gown with feather details in the skirt. 

Aliir Aliir of the Power made a dashing red carpet arrival alongside partner Sabina Wheatley, who commanded attention in her voluminous frock. 

The dress included a black corseted bodice and layers and layers of pink ruffles, as well as a daring, high split. 

Geelong Cats player Max Holmes brought his partner, Jess Butler, who opted for a futuristic look in a structural, silver satin dress. 

The frock included pointed elements at the bust, a cinched waist and flared into large, full ruffles. 

Former Richmond footballer Dion Prestia had his bombshell partner Brooke Bailey on his arm. 

The blonde choose a semi-sheer ‘nude’ gown with gunmetal beading that skimmed her figure. 

Hawthorn Hawks co-captain Jai Newcombe opted for a classic tux and brought his wife, Georgia May. 

Georgia made a bold choice with a cream satin gown that featured a long train, worn with a loose blazer over the top. 

Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury posed with his wife Alex Pendlebury, who drew the eye in a black satin number with a long train and a bustle detail. 

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield donned a classic tuxedo and had his gorgeous wife Mardi on his arm. 

Mardi stood out from the pack in a sleeveless, pink frock constructed from a sparkly fabric and decorated with a puffed ruffle detail. 

MORE TO COME 

A Maryland hunter fatally shot a mother of five in a Delaware field after mistakenly identifying her as a deer while she was walking.

Walter Moorhead, 74, was hunting deer from a camouflaged structure when he shot and killed 39-year-old Santos Maria Chilel Soto. Soto had been walking through an open field with a man and two children when the gunfire erupted. Moorhead later told authorities he had mistaken her for a deer and was handcuffed on manslaughter charges.

Moorhead, a Salisbury, Maryland, resident, faces felony charges of manslaughter for recklessly causing another person’s death, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and first-degree reckless endangerment.

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A GoFundMe campaign created in Soto’s name described her as a “beloved aunt whose life was tragically taken by a firearm.”

“Maria’s family is now facing the overwhelming pain of this sudden loss while also trying to make sure she is laid to rest with dignity,” the fundraiser states. “They need help covering funeral services and the cost of sending Maria’s body to Guatemala so she can be brought home. This heartbreaking situation has placed a heavy financial burden on the family at a time when they are grieving deeply.”