EIGHT Loganair flights to and from Jersey have been cancelled this afternoon as disruption caused by problems with the UK’s air traffic control system continues, while easyJet has cancelled one.
The Scottish airline has axed services connecting the Island with East Midlands, Southampton and Bristol after a technical fault at National Air Traffic Services caused widespread delays and cancellations across the UK.
The cancelled Jersey services are:
- LM587 – Jersey to East Midlands
- LM588 – East Midlands to Jersey
- LM555 – Jersey to Southampton
- LM556 – Southampton to Jersey
- LM583 – Jersey to Bristol
- LM584 – Bristol to Jersey
- LM557 – Jersey to Southampton
- LM558 – Southampton to Jersey
Loganair has also cancelled a number of other services across its UK network as a result of the disruption.
The airline has told passengers booked on the affected flights not to travel to the airport, adding that customers have been given one free change to their bookings. Refunds are also available.
It said: “Please accept our apologies for this disruption, which is out-with our control.”
easyJet, meanwhile, cancelled its 4.10pm flight to London Luton (EZY640).
The cancellations follow earlier disruption to flights between Jersey and the UK, with Ports of Jersey advising passengers to check directly with their airline for the latest information.
A Ports of Jersey spokesperson said this afternoon: “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.”
NATS said the problem had been identified within its flight-processing system and that engineers were working to restore normal operations.
Although UK airspace remains open and flights are departing, NATS warned that recovery would “take some time”.
Across the UK, around 200 flights had been cancelled by late afternoon.
UPDATE:
Jersey Airport posted an update to social media at 20:45pm stating that amid ongoing air traffic control technical issues, the 07:05am BA1357 service to London Heathrow has been cancelled.
It urged passengers not to travel to the airport until flights have been rebooked and advises passengers with pre-booked parking that bookings can be managed online, or alternatively email bookings@jerseyairport.com for assistance.
Passengers are asked to contact their airline directly for the latest information.
NATS said that it is “working as hard as possible” to continue resolving the issue in a statement issued at 19:30pm.
“Recovery from today’s system issue has taken longer than we had hoped. Our system issue is now resolved, we are operating normally and working as hard as possible to clear the backlog of flights. We are truly sorry for the ongoing flight disruption.
“We know this is hugely frustrating and apologise unreservedly. Passengers should continue to check with their airline”, the air traffic controller updated.
