More than 20 flights have been cancelled, with others delayed or diverted due to a scarcity of workers in air site visitors management at Gatwick Airport.
The airport apologised for “any inconvenience caused” and urged passengers to contact their airline.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport confirmed “22 flights have been cancelled” however mentioned “the situation is however improving with an additional air traffic controller now in place.”
“The air traffic control restrictions are reducing as a consequence and more aircraft are able to arrive and depart,” they mentioned.
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) had earlier mentioned “air traffic control restrictions have been put in place” as a result of “a short notice staff absence” affecting the air site visitors management staff at Gatwick.
“We are working closely with the airport to ensure we can handle flights with as little disruption as possible and we apologise very sincerely to people who have been inconvenienced [as a result of unavoidable diversions],” they mentioned.
The Sussex airport added in an announcement: “NATS are a world-class supplier of air site visitors providers and London Gatwick’s senior administration recognises how onerous the airport’s air site visitors controllers are working to maintain the operation transferring.
“We are working closely with NATS to build resilience in the airport’s control tower to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”
One particular person complained on social media {that a} flight had been diverted to Bournemouth airport, whereas one other mentioned they needed to take off from London Stansted.
Bank vacation disruption
It comes after the NATS management system for your complete UK was hit by a technical glitch over the financial institution vacation weekend, inflicting widespread disruption.
More than 1 / 4 of flights to and from UK airports had been cancelled, affecting round 250,000 folks.
Cancellations continued for 2 extra days as planes and crew had been out of place.
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Rory Boland, of client group Which?, mentioned: “It is unacceptable that some Gatwick passengers have been hit by further air traffic control problems so soon after the chaos a few weeks ago.
“This just isn’t a difficulty attributable to airways, however they have to meet their authorized obligations to take care of passengers and supply them with assist throughout delays and assist with refunds and re-routing – together with with different carriers if essential.
“To help end this cycle of miserable passenger experiences, the prime minister must play his part and prioritise legislation to give the Civil Aviation Authority stronger enforcement powers.”
Source: information.sky.com”
