More than 400 flights disrupted by UK tech glitch

More than 400 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled Tuesday due to what the country’s air traffic control service said was a “technical issue”, in the latest glitch to cause disruption.

A total of 425 flights to and from British airports had been axed by 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) amid the problem, according to the aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24.

“We have implemented a fix and our flight system is starting to recover,” Britain’s air traffic control service, known as NATS, said on X.

“We are continuing to work closely with our airline and airport customers on recovery,” it added, apologising for the disruption to travellers’ journeys.

The issues follow a technical glitch in July last year that saw scores of flights to and from the UK cancelled and which prompted anger from airline chiefs.

Meanwhile, the country saw its worst air systems failure in almost a decade in 2023, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled and more than 700,000 passengers impacted.

Heathrow Airport, Britain’s largest and busiest airport in west London, confirmed it was among those newly impacted Tuesday, along with Gatwick to the south of the UK capital.

Liverpool, Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were also affected, while Dublin Aiport in Ireland said it had cancelled dozens of flights.

“I’m aware of a technical issue impacting flights at airports including Heathrow and Gatwick,” British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on social media.

“Technicians have identified the issue and are fixing it as we speak.

“I know this will be frustrating for passengers and I’m sorry,” she added, advising travellers to check with airlines.

AFP