British Airways flights delayed due to technical issue

Published Tue, Nov 19, 2024 · 08:07 AM

British Airways, which is owned by IAG, said on its official X account that it did not have a timeframe on when it expects the issue to be resolved. PHOTO: REUTERS

BRITHS Airways flights were suffering delays due to a technical issue affecting some of the airline’s systems on Monday, which local media said had impacted thousands of passengers at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Dozens of passengers complained about the disruption on social media platforms. The airline, which is owned by IAG, said on its official X account that it did not have a timeframe on when it expects the issue to be resolved.

“Our flights are currently operating, but are experiencing delays as our teams work to resolve a technical issue affecting some of our systems,” a spokesperson for the company said in a short statement via email.

The company did not immediately respond to further questions on the number of flights delayed or the extent of the disruption.

The Daily Mirror newspaper reported that pilots were unable to file flight plans electronically and had to manually call into the operations centre at Heathrow, Britain’s biggest airport and Europe’s busiest. It said planes were grounded across Europe due to the issue, which it said had affected “thousands of passengers”.

Flight Emergency, a flight tracking account on X, said British Airways had lost communications to aircraft around Europe, leaving Heathrow air traffic control to get inbound flights back to base.

British Airways owner beats estimates, trims 2024 capacity goal

Europe’s relationship with China is being buffeted by worsening trade tensions, as the EU seeks to target what it says are unfair subsidies and other support that Beijing provides to its companies.

Europe’s airlines dial up pressure in face of Chinese threat

Qatar Airways also owns minority stakes in British Airways owner IAG, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways and China Southern Airlines.

Qatar Airways to buy 25% stake in Virgin Australia ahead of potential IPO

As an indicator of how profitable frequent flyer programmes are, it is notable that Delta Airlines' Delta SkyMiles was worth nearly US$27 billion last year. The whole airline had a market cap of US$29 billion as at this summer.

The fury of the frequent flyer

Hong Kong-based Cathay briefly grounded its fleet of A350s for inspections and repairs after a Zurich-bound plane was forced to head back to the Chinese city on Sept 2.

Cathay Airbus engine fire linked to cleaning: EU regulator

Asean Intelligence

Get insights into businesses across South-east Asia

Get the free report

Heathrow did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the disruption. REUTERS

Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.

British Airways United Kingdom

Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services

Feedback

TRENDING NOW

The Supreme Court has made bankruptcy orders against Lau Lee Sheng, Shen Xuhuai and Guo Yujia.

Three ex-employees of Envy group join Ng Yu Zhi in bankruptcy

From left: Pham Nhat Quan Anh, Pham Nhat Vuong, Pham Thu Huong and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang. The couple (centre) remain senior figures in Vingroup, with their children’s presence in the ecosystem growing.

He built the Vingroup empire. Now South-east Asia’s richest man is handing some key roles to his sons

From shy teenager to outspoken philanthropist, Chloe Tong has come a long way.

Grab CEO’s wife Chloe Tong on life with Anthony Tan and finding her purpose

The government is reviewing civil servants’ property purchase transactions to address assertions made in a recently published research paper.

Incidence of civil servants buying property near unannounced MRT stations ‘a concern’, but may not establish misconduct: PSD