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Version 7 Version 8
Air traffic control problem fixed Air traffic control problem fixed
(about 1 hour later)
Air traffic control systems are back up and running after an earlier computer breakdown at Prestwick grounded transatlantic flights from UK airports.Air traffic control systems are back up and running after an earlier computer breakdown at Prestwick grounded transatlantic flights from UK airports.
Some travellers may still experience delays due to the problem at Prestwick's air traffic control hub.Some travellers may still experience delays due to the problem at Prestwick's air traffic control hub.
A spokeswoman for NATS, responsible for the UK's air traffic management, said aircraft had been stopped from entering airspace over the north Atlantic. A spokeswoman for NATS, responsible for the UK's air traffic management, said engineers had resolved the problem.
Nats had to use manual systems after the computers failed. Airports are now working to clear a backlog of flights which had been unable to leave due to the fault.
The spokeswoman said: "NATS has reverted to manual systems which means reduced capacity leading to some delay. There is no safety implication." BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said the computer had gone "zero rated" which meant it could not process any routings and everything had to be done manually.
All airborne aircraft arriving in the UK have been safely landed using manual systems, she added. 'Some delays'
Engineers working The problem concerned Shanwick Oceanic Control, which is the airspace area for the north east Atlantic 250 miles west of Ireland.
BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said the computer had gone "zero rated" which meant it could not process any routings and everything had to be done manually. NATS are now in the process of trying to reboot the system. BAA, the company which owns seven major UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, said they were working to get delayed passengers on their way.
The problem concerns Shanwick Oceanic Control, which is the airspace area for the north east Atlantic 250 miles west of Ireland. "There are some delays still but it is getting back to normal," a spokeswoman said.
BAA, the company which owns seven major UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, said: "We understand that NATS engineers are currently working to resolve an issue affecting Oceanic airspace.
"Passengers travelling to westbound destinations in the US and Canada may experience some delays, we recommend that our customers speak to their airline before arriving at Heathrow."
A BAA spokeswoman said two transatlantic flights from Scotland had been affected so far.
There are other transatlantic services scheduled to leave from Glasgow today, heading to Toronto and Orlando, but she said she did not know if these would be affected.
'Contact airlines'
Transatlantic flights from Gatwick Airport, including those with Virgin, were among affected services, a BAA Gatwick spokeswoman said.
"Passengers are asked to contact their airlines for updates. NATS informed us for our guidance that the delays could last up to four hours," she said.
British Airways said not all of its flights were affected. Its statement said: "Air Traffic Control issues are affecting all airlines operating flights out of the UK on transatlantic routes.British Airways said not all of its flights were affected. Its statement said: "Air Traffic Control issues are affecting all airlines operating flights out of the UK on transatlantic routes.
"We, like all airlines, are experiencing some minor delays but our flights are still operating.""We, like all airlines, are experiencing some minor delays but our flights are still operating."
One passenger waiting on an American Airline's plane at Heathrow, Sam Mosley, said the airline had put them on the aircraft but said there could be a considerable delay.One passenger waiting on an American Airline's plane at Heathrow, Sam Mosley, said the airline had put them on the aircraft but said there could be a considerable delay.
"They said they would get us on the plane and see how it goes. Everyone's pretty stoic, we're just passengers waiting to get away," he said."They said they would get us on the plane and see how it goes. Everyone's pretty stoic, we're just passengers waiting to get away," he said.
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