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FeedSource: [BBCTech]

Time: 2017-05-27 11:11:37 UTC

Original URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40069865 [bbc.co.uk] using utf-8 encoding.

Title: British Airways: Computer problems cause flight delays

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British Airways: Computer problems cause flight delays

Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story [bbc.co.uk]:

British Airways has cancelled all flights from Heathrow and Gatwick until 18:00 BST because of computer problems.

A "major IT system failure that is causing very severe disruption to our flight operations worldwide", the airline said.

It apologised for the "global system outage" and said it was "working to resolve the the problem".

Heathrow Airport said it was "working closely" with BA to solve the issue.

The problems mean parts of BA's website are unavailable and some travellers claimed they could not check in on the mobile app.

BA aircraft landing at Heathrow are unable to park up as outbound aircraft cannot vacate the gates, which has resulted in passengers being stuck on aircraft.

Heathrow advised passengers to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.

BA staff in Heathrow's Terminal 5 were resorting to using white boards, according to passenger Gareth Wharton [twitter.com].

Delays have also been reported in Rome, Prague, Milan, Stockholm and Malaga due to the system failure.

Philip Bloom said he had been waiting on board a Heathrow-bound flight at Belfast for two hours.

He added: "We haven't been told very much just that there is a worldwide computer system failure.

"We were told that we couldn't even get on other flights because they are unable to see what flights we can be moved to."

BA flights at Gatwick airport are also grounded, according to travel journalist Phil Davies [twitter.com].

The BBC's Phillip Norton is at Rome International airport, where he has been waiting to fly to London.

He said BA staff were unable to say how long delays would be, telling him "all flights are grounded around the world".

Alma Saffari is in Marseille waiting to get her flight back to Heathrow.

She said: "When we finally boarded the captain came out and told us their computer systems were down worldwide.

"Eventually after sitting on the tarmac for 1 and a half hours we disembarked the plane.

"Now we are sitting in the departure area outside the gate."

Ms Saffari, who is with her 13-month-old baby, said she had been given a voucher for food and drink.

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