Edinburgh Airport Chaos: IT Glitch Grounds Flights Amid Strike Threats

IT Glitch Grounds Flights

Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s busiest air hub, faced a major disruption as an IT issue within air traffic control led to the grounding of all flights. Engineers are actively working to resolve the problem, but passengers have been advised to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport. This incident adds to the airport’s recent troubles, as fuel tanker drivers are planning a nearly three-week strike over pay disputes, coinciding with the festive season.

Impact on Passengers

The IT glitch has caused significant inconvenience for travelers. Several outbound flights on Sunday evening were canceled, while others faced hours-long delays. Flights to destinations such as Kaunas, Belfast, and London were among those affected. Incoming flights were also impacted, with some being diverted to Glasgow Airport, including British Airways and EasyJet services from London and Madrid. A Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul and a Ryanair flight from Gran Canaria were redirected to Manchester Airport, located four hours away from Edinburgh.

Passenger Reactions

Andrea Racekova, a 26-year-old apprentice journalist, was among those caught in the chaos. She had traveled from Shetland to Edinburgh to catch a flight to Slovakia for a medical appointment. Racekova described the tense atmosphere at the airport, with frustrated passengers, some of whom had connecting flights. Despite the efforts of airport staff to manage the situation, many travelers were understandably upset.

Underlying Issues

The disruption was attributed to Air Navigation Solutions, a private company responsible for air traffic control at the airport. The company has been approached for comments on the situation. This incident highlights the vulnerability of airport operations to technical issues and labor disputes, underscoring the need for robust contingency plans to minimize passenger inconvenience.