U.K. flights are being delayed and cancelled as a ‘technical issue’ hits air traffic control

LONDON –

Thousands of air travellers confronted delays on Monday after Britain’s air visitors management system was hit by a breakdown that slowed takeoffs and landings.

Flight management operator National Air Traffic Services mentioned it was experiencing a “technical issue” that might delay flights on Monday, the top of a vacation weekend and one of many busiest journey days of the yr.

The service mentioned it had “applied traffic flow restrictions to maintain safety” and that engineers had been working to seek out and repair the fault. It mentioned U.Okay. airspace remained open.

It didn’t give an estimate of how lengthy it could take to repair the issue, or what had brought about it, however European air visitors authority Eurocontrol warned of “very high” delays due to a “flight data processing system failure” within the U.Okay.

Scottish airline Loganair mentioned there had been “a network-wide failure of U.K. air traffic control computer systems.”

“Although we are hopeful of being able to operate most intra-Scotland flights on the basis of local coordination and with a minimum of disruption, north-south and international flights may be subject to delays,” it mentioned.

Airports exterior the U.Okay. mentioned flights to the U.Okay. had been being disrupted. Dublin Airport mentioned in an announcement that air visitors management points had been leading to delays and cancellations to some flights into and out of Dublin. “We advise all passengers due to travel today to check the status of their flight with their airline in advance of travelling,” it mentioned.

British Airways mentioned it was “working closely with NATS to understand the impact of a technical issue that is affecting U.K. airspace, and will keep our customers up to date with the latest information.”