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Software glitch hits UK flights
Two hour delays for passengers

By Graham Hayday

Published: Friday 17 May 2002

A software problem at the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) centre in Swanwick has brought chaos to UK airports this morning, with passengers suffering two hour delays as a result of the glitch.

British Airways alone has cancelled 14 return flights to Europe from Gatwick and Heathrow, according to reports. Every airport in Britain is likely to be affected.

Short haul flights to Europe appear to be worst hit.

The problem was caused by a software upgrade. A spokesman said that the overnight upgrade went according to plan, but half the workstations refused to work this morning.

Operations are now running at 50 per cent of normal capability, although no indication has yet been given as to when the system will be up and running as usual.

The NATS system last went down on 10 April.