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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 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" had occurred at the NATS UK air traffic control centre in Swanwick, Hampshire. | 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. |
| The failure affected London and southern UK airspace and Eurocontrol initially warned it could cause "potentially severe" flight delays. | The failure affected London and southern UK airspace and Eurocontrol initially warned it could cause "potentially severe" flight delays. |
| Air traffic management group NATS said the system has now been restored and was in "the process of returning to normal operations". | Air traffic management group NATS said the system has now been restored and was in "the process of returning to normal operations". |
| 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. | 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. |
| All flights from Luton Airport were delayed but have now resumed. The airport warned passengers to expect "residual delays". | All flights from Luton Airport were delayed but have now resumed. The airport warned passengers to expect "residual delays". |
| 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. | 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. |
| At Gatwick, all incoming flights were continuing to land, but all departing flights were grounded. Flights from Gatwick are now also departing. | At Gatwick, all incoming flights were continuing to land, but all departing flights were grounded. Flights from Gatwick are now also departing. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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" but told passengers to contact their airline if they have concerns. | |
| A spokesman added he was unable to give specific numbers, but said the incident was "resulting in some delays but operations are getting back to normal." | |
| Passengers have been tweeting pictures from affected airports. | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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." |
| Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "Disruption on this scale is simply unacceptable and I have asked Nats for a full explanation of this evening's incident." |