Computer fault disrupts flights

Sep 25 2008

The travel plans of thousands of air passengers were thrown into chaos when a computer fault at the UK's main air traffic control centre led to serious flight disruptions.

The problem started when a fault occurred at one of the systems at Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre in Hampshire.

This led air traffic control company NATS to restrict the number of planes entering UK airspace as well as those taking off from major UK airports.

There were reports that all flights at Luton Airport were suspended. Flights at Heathrow Airport were also disrupted.

NATS said: "Engineers are investigating the cause of the fault and working to restore the system as soon as possible."

The company said the restrictions on take-offs and landings were to maintain safety while controllers operated with manual systems at reduced capacity.

The company added that Scottish airspace and Manchester area airspace were working normally and that only sectors controlled from the London area control centre were affected.

At London's Heathrow airport flights were taking off every five minutes, less than the airport's usual rate.

At Stansted airport departures were subject to delay.

Luton Airport said that cancellations were possible and Gatwick Airport was warning passengers that delays were possible.