Gatwick flights suspended: Flights resume but airport warns there will be delays today

Flights from Gatwick have been suspended due to an issue with air traffic control.

There are flight delays, but how do you know if your travel plans are delayed?

The airport tweeted: “Due to an air traffic control systems issue in Gatwick’s control tower, flights are currently suspended.

“We are working with ANS, our air traffic control provider, to rectify this issue as quickly as possible.”

The problem was revealed at 5:45.

One Twitter user has said: “First time in 5 years I’ve put my out of office on my email for holiday. And first holiday since March 2018. So what do you think has happened? #Gatwick runway closes because of a computer problem in the tower.”

Another tweeted Gatwick: “Sitting on a plane waiting to get going. Please provide the aircraft with up to date information, pilots saying they’ve heard nothing!”

One claimed: “Pilot said they’ll get us off the plane.”

They added: “Just been told from the pilot that nothing is landing or coming in for another half hour.”

One woman revealed her plane had been grounded at Southend due to the issues at the airport.

She tweeted: “Had to land in Southend due to stupid planes being stupid. We’re not even allowed to get off here, we have to wait until it’s safe to fly back to Gatwick.”

Another said: “What’s your recovery plan gatwick? It has been down for 40 minutes. Surely you have a back up system considering the obvious implications of one core system going down?”

Airlines have began replying to confused customers at the airport via the social media platform, including Vueling.

It is telling customers: “Hello. Your flight is delayed due to an air traffic control systems issue in Gatwick’s control tower.”

They also add “there are still severe traffic restrictions.”

Transport & Environment Correspondent for BBC London Tom Edwards tweeted a statement from the airport.

It reads: “Flights have been resumed at Gatwick following an earlier issue with the systems operated by ANS in our air traffic control tower.

“As we move back into full operations we are likely to see some delays and further cancellations this evening.

“We apologise to passengers who have been affected and are aiming to operate a full schedule of flights tomorrow.

We continue to advise all passengers travelling tonight or tomorrow to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.”

source: express.co.uk