Huge disruption at UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick as flights blocked from taking off due to air traffic control error

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The National Air Traffic Services [NATS] said disruption was expected after experiencing difficulties with its "flight processing system" at its Swanwick centre.

As a result, multiple flights are expected to be affected at airports including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Manchester, East Midlands Airport, Birmingham, Bristol and London Stansted, Gatwick, Heathrow and City Airports, according to Flight Radar.

A spokesperson for NATS said: "We have a technical problem at NATS Swanwick air traffic control centre which is causing some disruption to flight departures.

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"Our engineers are on site investigating and we will provide an update as soon as we can. 

"We apologise for the uncertainty this will cause for passengers, who should check with their airline on the status of their flight.  We will provide updates on www.nats.aero and on X - @NATS."

A Gatwick statement to LBC also read: "We are aware of a NATS technical issue that is currently affecting a number of UK airports, including London Gatwick.

"Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for more information regarding their flights."

Heathrow said arriving flights are so far unaffected but its departures board so far has numerous listed as delayed.

Stricken passengers took to social media to report the disruption, with some left sat on the tarmac for up to an hour and a half.

One wrote on X: "Been sat on tarmac at Heathrow for 90 mins now since landing from Seattle. No idea when we will get off."

Another said: "BA 742 back to engines off and waiting. Approaching 2 hour mark in 15 minutes."

A Heathrow spokesperson said: "The air traffic control service NATS is experiencing a technical issue which is impacting departing flights at UK airports.

"Arriving flights are not currently impacted. We are supporting our local NATS team in their efforts to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

"We will provide updated information when we have it. We apologise to those disrupted and advise passengers to check with their airline for latest flight information."

Edinburgh Airport said it was aware the technical issue and confirmed it "may impact operations".

It added: "We are working closely with air traffic control, airlines and other partners, and hope @NATS can resolve the issue as quickly as possible."

Among the flights listed as delayed at Heathrow include the 15:35 to Rome, the 15:40 to Bengaluru, the 15:45 to Hamburg, and the 16:10 to Pisa among others.

Jersey Airport added: "UK air traffic control is currently experiencing issues which is impacting flights across the UK including services between Jersey and UK.

"Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information directly with their airline."