BREAKING NEWS: Chaos for thousands of passengers as UK airspace is restricted due to computer failure at £600m air traffic control centre
Restriction after technical problem at centre in Swanwick, Hampshire
London airports most affected, with 50 flights cancelled at Heathrow
Passengers have been advised to check with airlines before travelling
Other airports, including Manchester, reported knock-on effects
Air traffic control firm NATS said system had been now been restored
Centre where computer failure occurred has been plagued with problems
By Stephanie Linning and Sam Matthew
DailyMailUK
12 December 2014
Thousands of passengers have been thrown into travel chaos after flights were severely disrupted following a computer failure at a major air traffic control centre this afternoon.
The problem at the £660million centre in Swanwick, Hampshire, forced air traffic control company NATS to restrict the volume of aircraft flying across Britain – sparking delays at a number of airports.
London was most affected by the restrictions – with 50 flights at Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, cancelled following the computer glitch.
Flights are now arriving and departing from the airport, but a spokesman warned that restrictions remained in place, adding that flights tomorrow could also be affected.
Gatwick airport said that both arrivals and departures are experiencing delays. Luton airport in Bedfordshire said all its flights were experiencing delays. There were also continuing delays at Stansted.
A number of other airports, including Newcastle, Southampton and Manchester, reported knock-on issues with flights, but said that their airspace remained open.
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