Computer failure at British control centre grounds flights

Airports in southern Britain reported serious delays and cancellations Thursday following a computer failure at a main air traffic control centre, the air traffic control organization (Nats) said.

There were a series of flight cancellations at London's main Heathrow airport, and flights from Luton airport, north-west of London, were completely suspended, Nats said.

The BBC reported that Gatwick airport south of London and the airport of Cardiff, in Wales, could also be affected by the fault at the main Swanwick air traffic control centre, in Hampshire, south-west Britain.

Arrivals were also subject to delays and passengers were being are being advised to contact their airline before travelling.

The Control Flow Management Unit at Eurocontrol in Brussels confirmed that the London Area Control Centre, which covers the south east of England, has suffered a computer failure.