Shannon and Dublin flights delayed by UK systems glitch

Transatlantic flights out of Shannon and Dublin have been delayed by a break-down in air traffic control systems in the UK today.

The systems problem affecting north Atlantic airspace has been resolved since this morning and flights are now gathering crews in preparation for take-off.

Delays of up to two hours hit some transatlantic flights.

In Dublin, five flights carrying a total of 898 passengers were affected. In Shannon, some six flights were delayed by up to two hours.

"The situation is now resolved, so the flights are preparing for take-off," said a spokesman at Shannon airport.

Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for further information specific to their flights.

Most transatlantic flights leaving the UK were grounded today by the fault this morning.

The fault happened at Prestwick airport’s air traffic control hub at 8am, causing delays at airports across the country, a spokeswoman for NATS, which is responsible for the UK’s air traffic management, said.

She said: “We have put restrictions on aircraft entering oceanic airspace over the north Atlantic.”

All airborne aircraft arriving in the UK were safely landed using manual systems, she added.

Nats said that London's Heathrow was the worst affected by the delays, with flights to the United States delayed by more than two hours.

But Gatwick airport was not as badly affected, added the spokeswoman.