UK air travel disrupted by technical issue

UK air travel disrupted by ‘technical issue’

Many flights to and from the UK experienced major delays on Monday 28 August due to a “technical issue”, UK air traffic control authorities reported.

“We are currently having a technical issue and have introduced traffic restrictions [des vols] for safety reasons,” said a statement from national air traffic control. “Engineers are working to find and fix the bug,” they added, apologizing for any inconvenience.

The disruption comes as Monday is a bank holiday in the UK, marking the end of a long weekend for Britons, many of whom are returning from holiday. “We are seeing delays and cancellations are likely. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you contact your airline for further information,” Gatwick Airport said on the website X Network (formerly Twitter).

Customers are stuck abroad

Heathrow Airport, the country’s largest, said it was working “closely” with air traffic authorities and other airports to minimize “the impact” on passengers. British Airways said in a statement it was in contact with air traffic authorities to understand “the consequences” of the problem. You will “stay up to date”. [ses] Informing “customers” about the latest developments, she assured.

“British air traffic control computer systems have failed here [lundi] Tomorrow,” the Scottish airline Loganair also reported and warned of possible delays on their flights. Some customers have taken to social media to say they are stuck abroad waiting to return to the UK.

“Currently on a plane on the tarmac at Budapest airport,” wrote BBC presenter Gabby Logan, covering the IAAF World Championships in Hungary last week. “We have just been informed that the airspace is closed. We could stay there for 12 hours,” she said. written on X.

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The world with AFP