Widespread delays after UK airspace hit by ‘network-wide failure’
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listed here are widespread delays at a number of airports after UK airspace was hit by a network-wide failure for air visitors management techniques.
All main airways are affected with recommendation for travellers to verify on potential delays earlier than heading to the airport.
More than 1,000,000 individuals have been as a consequence of fly into or out of the UK on Bank Holiday Monday, one of many busiest journey days of the yr.
Data from aviation analytics agency Cirium revealed that a whole bunch of flights had been cancelled in the present day.
A complete of 232 flights departing the UK, the equal to eight per cent of all departures, have been scrapped.
Meanhile 271 flights as a consequence of arrive on the UK gave been cancelled which equates to virtually one in ten of the whole.
British Airways stated they’re “working closely with Nats to understand the impact of a technical issue that is affecting UK airspace and will keep our customers up to date with the latest information.”
In a press release, National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which gives air visitors management providers within the UK, stated: “This morning’s technical issue is affecting our ability to automatically process flight plans.
“Until our engineers have resolved this, flight plans are being input manually which means we cannot process them at the same volume, hence we have applied traffic flow restrictions.
“Our technical experts are looking at all possible solutions to rectify this as quickly as possible.
“Our priority is ensuring every flight in the UK remains safe and doing everything we can to minimise the impact.
“Please contact your airline for information on how this may affect your flight. We are sincerely sorry for the disruption this is causing.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper stated in a statment on social media: “UK airspace remains open but flow restrictions are in place.
“@Nats is working at pace to fix this and Aviation MInister @CharlotteV and I are doing all we can to support them. In the meantime passengers should contact their airline for up to date flight information.”
EasyJet is providing prospects on cancelled flights a refund or a free flight switch as a consequence of air visitors disruption.
The airline stated in a press release: “We have been advised of an air traffic control systems failure affecting UK airspace, which is currently causing disruption to flying programmes for airlines operating to and from the UK.
“We are providing customers on cancelled flights with the option to transfer their flight free of charge or receive a refund and recommend that all passengers flying with us today, regardless of their destination.”
It additionally apologised for the inconvenience, and stated it’s “doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the disruption”.
Loganair warned customers on X, formally generally known as Twitter, that flights could also be topic to delays because of the outage.
In a press release, the Glasgow-based airline stated: “There has been a network-wide failure of UK air traffic control computer systems this morning.
“Although we are hopeful of being able to operate most intra-Scotland flights on the basis of local co-ordination and with a minimum of disruption, north-south and international flights maybe subject to delays.
“If you are flying with us today, please check our website for the latest information about your flight before setting off for the airport.”
Gatwick Airport stated on Monday afternoon that planes there are nonetheless touchdown and taking off.
Flights are persevering with to take off throughout the UK at diminished ranges and UK airspace shouldn’t be closed.
According to the newest information, 3,049 flights have been as a consequence of depart the UK in the present day with 540,000 prospects seated.
An additional 3,054 flights have been scheduled to reach into UK airports on Monday bringing in a further 543,000 passengers.
Ryanair passengers ready at Stansted Airport in Essex stated there have been cheers when two flights to Copenhagen and Paphos have been introduced for boarding amid delays brought on by a UK air visitors management failure.
They stated that they’d heard airways cancel round 5 flights whereas they’d been ready on the gate.
Posting on-line, an easyJet passenger wrote: “Just informed by easyJet that my flight tonight is likely to be delayed by nearly 7 hours.
“Manchester to Prague. Apparently air traffic control system issue.”
BA passengers have been additionally dealing with big delays, with one saying: “Currently being told that we will be sat on the tarmac for 7 hours in Milan!”
TV presenter Gabby Logan was additionally hit by the delays.
She stated: “On a plane on the runway at Budapest airport. After almost 3 weeks away from home I am hours from hugging my family.
“And I have just been told that the UK airspace is shut. We could be here for 12 hours. So we sit on the plane and wait.”
The Liberal Democrats have referred to as on the Prime Minister to convene a Cobra assembly.
Transport spokesperson Wera Hobhouse stated: “Rishi Sunak and his ministers need to get a grip on this issue urgently and hold a Cobra meeting.
“Millions of holidaymakers could be facing huge disruption in the coming days due to this fault and we can’t risk this Government being missing in action yet again.
“Brits need to know that the Government is doing all it can to make sure people aren’t hit with major delays and disruptions in the coming days.”
Meanwhile Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh stated news of delays to flights out and in of the UK was “extremely concerning” for air passengers.
In a press release on X, formally generally known as Twitter, she stated: “Extremely concerning for passengers travelling in and out of the UK on one of the busiest days of the year.
“UK airspace is not closed but significant delays expected thanks to a technical fault.
“Surprised not to see our Transport Secretary make a statement yet.”
Tui has warned of “significant delays” because of the air visitors management outage.
In a reply to a passenger asking if their flight on Tuesday morning is prone to be delayed, Tui posted on X, previously generally known as Twitter, saying: “Due to an air traffic control outage across UK airports, we expect that this may cause significant delays to some of our flights.
“We would like to advise customers to monitor the departure boards or your emails for further updates.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Ryanair and Aer Lingus have cancelled a variety of flights out of and returning to Dublin Airport because of the air visitors management points.
Services are additionally understood to be impacted at Cork.
The Aer Lingus airline stated: “Due to a failure of the UK air traffic control flight planning systems, which is outside of Aer Lingus’ control, there are severe restrictions on all flights into the UK and flying over UK airspace today.
“We would ask you to check the status of your flight before coming to the airport today as delays and cancellations are likely.”
Ryanair stated: “Due to another UK ATC failure, Ryanair will be forced to delay/cancel a number of flights to/from the UK today, Aug 28.
“All affected passengers will be notified of their options to change flights (free of charge) to another Ryanair flight or receive a full refund.
“We sincerely apologise for this UK ATC failure which is beyond Ryanair’s control and is affecting all airlines operating to/from the UK.”
Shannon Airport stated the compelled restriction of plane circulation has resulted within the cancellation of the outbound (FR1182) and inbound (FR1183) Ryanair Gatwick service.
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport has suggested all passengers as a consequence of journey from Shannon to verify the standing of their flight with their airline prematurely of travelling.
Have you been impacted by the disruption? Email tom.davidson@customary.co.uk