Dozens of flights have been cancelled, delayed or diverted because of a lack of staff in air traffic control at Gatwick Airport.
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said: “Air traffic control restrictions have been put in place this afternoon due to a short notice staff absence affecting our air traffic control team at Gatwick Airport.
“We are working closely with the airport to ensure we can handle flights with as little disruption as possible and we apologise very sincerely to people who have been inconvenienced [as a result of unavoidable diversions].”
The Sussex airport apologised, adding in a statement: “NATS are a world-class provider of air traffic services and London Gatwick’s senior management recognises how hard the airport’s air traffic controllers are working to keep the operation moving.
“We are working closely with NATS to build resilience in the airport’s control tower to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”
One person complained on social media that a flight had been diverted to Bournemouth airport.
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