Air traffic control system failure could affect nearly half of flights in UK and rest of EuropeA glitch in Europe’s computerised air space and flight management system has led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across the continent. Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation, said about half of flights travelling across Europe could be subject to delays after a system failure at about midday on Tuesday. The system links to air traffic control centres across Europe to determine when flights can best take off or land, affecting flight planning. About half of the 29,500 flights expected to operate on Tuesday in the European network could be delayed, it said. Air traffic control systems are being increasingly interlinked in the development of the Single European Sky, which the aviation industry hopes will increase the efficiency of flights and make best use of airspace.

Source: The Guardian April 03, 2018 16:39 UTC