Cancellations, delays … The United Kingdom airspace was submerged briefly in chaos this Wednesday due to a “technical problem” that was finally resolved.
“We are in the process of assuming our normal activities in the London region,” said the British NATS air traffic control service on the X platform, before presenting its “apologies for incomplete shame.”
Early in the afternoon, several planes were stuck on the ground. According to British journalists, delays have been found for three hours on certain flights. The Site of the English newspaper The Mirror described the situation “Chaos in the sky of London.”
Gatwick airport said it was a “technical problem” of air traffic control affected all outgoing flights throughout the United Kingdom.
The affected system “has been restored”
Nats also confirmed that in “a reason for a technical problem at the Nats Swanwick’s air traffic control center, we limit the number of flying aircraft in the London control zone to guarantee safety, which remains our first priority.”
“We ask you to apologize for possible delays. Our engineers work hard to solve the problem as quickly as possible and collaborate closely with airlines to minimize disturbances,” they added.
The breakdown had consequences in the other airports in the country. Several planned flights have been forced to make pending landing or confuse elsewhere.
Newcastle’s in the north of the country indicated in X that “a problem in London airspace affects the operations of the National Airport and that all departures are currently suspended.”
The affected system “has been restored,” said Nats, but according to the Times “delays are expected until at least at the end of the day: all exits are suspended in most British airports.”
Source: BFM TV
