Travellers passing through Heathrow Airport reported delays due to “technical issues” last night.
Taking to social media, holidaymakers said they were told flights were unable to take off if they were heading to the airport due to problems at air traffic control.
And an alert from Air Live reported a “computer issue” prompted air space restrictions around the major airport. It led to “moderate to high” levels of delays at the airport.
Air Live reported: “A computer failure is causing delays at London ATC area. Computer equipment run by NATS at Swanwick has suffered a failure.”
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It added: “Several sectors around London are regulated with reduced rate. This is leading to moderate to high delays and cancellations for flights to/from London Airports.”
Some passengers believed it could have had an impact on other airports around the UK. Social media users heading to Heathrow however reported delays up to 90 minutes.
Rosalind Mathieson was heading to London from Berlin. She tweeted: “A sad little travel story. Delayed in Berlin for 90 mins due to late arrival of the BA flight.
“Now told the air traffic control computer has gone down at Heathrow (seriously). It may be several hours before it is fixed.”
While Lance Foreman added: “Does anyone know if there is a technical problem with Heathrow. Flight from Lisbon can’t take off and being advised technical issues at Heathrow?”
The airport later confirmed there had been a “technical issue” that impacted all of the facilities around the capital. Writing on Twitter, a spokesman said: “Good evening, there is a technical issue affecting all London airports and causing delays, but the runways are still open.”
Holidaymakers reported flights returning to normal around 11pm.
