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London airspace shut after 'computer failure' London airspace shut after 'computer failure'
(35 minutes later)
Flights across London and the south of England have been disrupted following a computer failure at a national air traffic control centre, air navigation bosses have confirmed. Flights across London and the south of England have been disrupted following a computer failure at a national air traffic control centre.
Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, said the computer failure at the NATS UK air traffic control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire, was affecting London and southern UK airspace and could cause "potentially severe" flight delays. Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, said the "computer failure" had occurred at the NATS UK air traffic control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.
Air traffic management group NATS said the system has now been restored and said it was in "the process of returning to normal operations". The failure affected London and southern UK airspace and Eurocontrol initially warned it could cause "potentially severe" flight delays.
Heathrow Airport had warned passengers to check their flight status before coming to the airport as flights were experiencing "severe disruption". Air traffic management group NATS said the system has now been restored and was in "the process of returning to normal operations".
Luton Airport said: "All flights experiencing delays due to a power outage at air traffic control centre affecting all UK airspace. Heathrow Airport warned passengers to check their flight status before coming to the airport as flights were experiencing "severe disruption". Flights are now departing and arriving from there.
It later added: "Technical problem with air traffic affecting London airspace including at Luton airport. More information to follow." All flights from Luton Airport were delayed but have now resumed. The airport warned passengers to expect "residual delays".
A live illustration of the handful of flights still above London at 3.50pm Stansted airport said departing flights are currently suspended. A screengrab from Flightradar24 showing all London air traffic at 4.22pm Shortly after the disruption, Stansted Aiport said departing flights were suspended. It said flights are now departing from the airport but there are delays.
Incoming flights to Gatwick airport are continuing to land, but all departing flights were grounded. At Gatwick, all incoming flights were continuing to land, but all departing flights were grounded. Flights from Gatwick are now also departing.
British Airways said: "We are working hard to look after our customers who have been affected by the air traffic control failure experienced by all airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports. Bristol Airport said: "Flights have resumed after earlier UK Air Traffic Control problems, though there may be delays. If you're flying, please check in as normal."
"We anticipate disruption to both departing and arriving flights but will do all we can to minimise any impact. In a statement, Newcastle Airport added: "If you're travelling with us this evening please come to the airport as normal, however we do expect there will be some delays."
"We will endeavour to keep our customers informed of the status of their flight but we would urge anyone with a flight booking to check ba.com before leaving for the airport. Passengers have been tweeting pictures from affected airports.
Looks like I'll be at Gatwick for a bit longer than expected #airspace closed! pic.twitter.com/foQWfIbsTr
So at @Gatwick_Airport and everyone is jammed round a wee tv ad they haven't told us anything. pic.twitter.com/LL2UQi4Eso
Sense at gatwick airport @SkyNews pic.twitter.com/FmHbztKmxM
British Airways said it anticipated disruption to both departing and arriving flights and urged passengers to check their flight status beforehand.
A spokesperson said: "We will endeavour to keep our customers informed of the status of their flight but we would urge anyone with a flight booking to check ba.com before leaving for the airport.
"If you do not wish to travel from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City this evening we are offering our customers the opportunity to rebook their flight to a later date or a full refund.""If you do not wish to travel from Heathrow, Gatwick or London City this evening we are offering our customers the opportunity to rebook their flight to a later date or a full refund."
A statement released earlier by NATS said: "NATS can confirm that a technical problem has been reported at Swanwick air traffic control centre.A statement released earlier by NATS said: "NATS can confirm that a technical problem has been reported at Swanwick air traffic control centre.
"We apologise for any delays and our incident response team has been mobilised."We apologise for any delays and our incident response team has been mobilised.
"Every possible action is being taken to assist in resolving the situation and to confirm the details.""Every possible action is being taken to assist in resolving the situation and to confirm the details."
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