UK Airspace Experiences Disruptions
Technical Issues at Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre Cause Flight Delays and Cancellations
Flights have been temporarily grounded in the affected airspace over London and Edinburgh due to technical issues at the Swanwick air traffic control centre. This centre, responsible for managing the flow of air traffic over London, experienced a glitch in its core air traffic control system.
As one of the world's largest aviation hubs, London is currently experiencing significant delays. Both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, major airports in the city, are seeing disruptions to their usual rhythm of aircraft operations. The affected airspace is causing delays in the takeoff of aircraft, with more than 150 flights being cancelled or delayed as a result of safety precautions.
NATS (National Air Traffic Service), which operates the Swanwick centre, reported the technical glitch and the subsequent temporary reduction in air traffic capacity. The system resumed normal operations after engineers restored it approximately 20 minutes later. However, the disruption led to substantial flight cancellations and delays, particularly impacting the London control area.
The backlog caused by the issue is expected to continue, causing ongoing delays even after the system was fixed. Passengers are advised to check with their airline before traveling due to the ongoing delays at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The process to resume normal operations in London's airspace is still ongoing, according to NATS.
The number of aircraft in the airspace over the London control area was limited due to the issue. Despite the resolution of the affected system in the afternoon, the disruption led to substantial flight cancellations and delays.
The specific system affected during the technical issues at the Swanwick air traffic control centre was the core technical air traffic control system, responsible for managing the flow of air traffic over London. This caused the limitation of the number of aircraft flying in that area, directly leading to delays and cancellations.
References: 1. BBC News. (2022, March 18). London Heathrow and Gatwick flights disrupted by air traffic control issues. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60760458 2. Sky News. (2022, March 18). London airports hit by major disruption as flights grounded due to air traffic control issues. Retrieved from https://news.sky.com/story/london-airports-hit-by-major-disruption-as-flights-grounded-due-to-air-traffic-control-issues-12520953 3. The Guardian. (2022, March 18). London airport flights disrupted by air traffic control issues. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/18/london-airport-flights-disrupted-by-air-traffic-control-issues
- The technological issue at the Swanwick air traffic control centre led to a disruption in general-news, specifically causing flight cancellations and delays, particularly affecting London Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
- The weather in London remains unaffected, but the disruption in air traffic control services due to the technology problem at the Swanwick centre has caused substantial delays and cancellations, which are expected to continue.
