Source: Evening Standard (Story by Nicholas Cecil)
Major disruption at Britain’s airports is going to impact passengers until at least the weekend, experts say.
Most flights were departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and other airports on Wednesday after a day of chaos due to a computer problem at the National Air Traffic Service (Nats).
Nats engineers have identified the problem, which caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled, and it is understood to have been fixed.
In a statement issued shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, Nats said: “Work is continuing to assist airlines and airports recover from today’s disruption.
“This has been a very complex recovery and has created difficulties for the whole aviation network, from which it will take time to recover.
“We apologise again for the disruption caused.
“Passengers should check with their airline on the status of their flight tonight or tomorrow.”
However, despite the aviation network heading back to normal, the impact on passengers was due to last for days. Many families and other travellers whose flights were cancelled are struggling to quickly rebook to get to their destination.
Some were having to make alternative arrangements as their airline could not find them replacement seats until the weekend. Others had been flown to Edinburgh or Cardiff, instead of London, as planes were diverted because of the disruption.
Rupert Myers posted on X: “Having ditched Heathrow & BA who can’t get us to France until Saturday via a night in Brussels, we are en route to Stansted to fly with Ryanair.
“No lounge, no in-flight meal, just the vague hope that today we might get to our destination.”
Michael Lipscombe messaged from Portugal: “Update, we are stranded in Faro airport @Ryanair only just got back through security and passport control to get our bags. We don’t have an available alternative flight from you until Friday 9am… any chance of help?”
Paul Allen explained: “I’m supposed to be flying today early am, and the flight has now been moved to late tomorrow (10th). But you have moved the airport from Luton to Bristol and told to claim travel back @easyJet what are you playing at?”
Long haul flights could be most affected as airlines struggle to get crew in the right place for services after the disruption. A spokesman for Heathrow, the worst hit airport, said: “Flights are operating today, but we are expecting knock-on impacts as aircraft and crew reposition.
“We advise passengers to check with their airline for the latest flight information and to only travel to Heathrow if they have a confirmed flight operating today.”
“We know how frustrating this situation is and apologise to those affected.”
British Airways said its teams worked throughout the night to build a new flight schedule.
A spokesperson said: “While this incident has been completely outside of our control, we do not underestimate the impact it’s had on the tens of thousands of our customers who faced disruption yesterday and today, and we’re very sorry.
“We’re doing everything we can to get them to where they need to be and ask them to remain patient while we work to find solutions for everyone.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “While the technical issue affecting the NATS air traffic control system has now been resolved, recovery across the wider aviation industry is ongoing.
“Virgin Atlantic expects to operate its planned flying programme on Wednesday 9 September, although some customers will continue to experience disruption as a result of the outage on Tuesday 8 September.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was due to update MPs on Wednesday afternoon about the flights crisis having summoned Nats boss Martin Rolfe to explain what had happened.
British travel agents assocation ABTA has advice on flight delays and cancellations for passengers.
Its director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “If your flight has been delayed or cancelled customers will have rights, which will vary depending on whether they booked their flight separately or as part of a package.
“ABTA members will be supporting those booked with them, to help make alternative arrangements, and we have advice on abta.com to help people understand their rights.”