Air traffic control outage latest: Major outage grounds flights across Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick airports

Nearly two years ago, more than 700,000 passengers suffered disruption when flights were grounded at UK airports on August 28.

It happened after ATC provider National Air Traffic Services (Nats) suffered a technical glitch while processing a flight plan.

Travel correspondent Simon Calder takes a look at what happened that day:

Travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:

Air traffic control provider Nats has said that the system which was affected this afternoon has now been restored.

Here is its latest comment:

Gatwick Airport earlier said no flights were taking off because of the outage.

“A technical issue impacting Nats is affecting all outbound flights across the UK. There are currently no departures from London Gatwick while the situation is being resolved,” it said.

Although many Gatwick-bound jets were landing, at least one was diverted to other airports – an AirBaltic service from Riga, Latvia.

Birmingham airport said “departing flights from many UK airports have been suspended”.

Several flights scheduled to arrive at UK airports are being forced to conduct holding patterns or divert elsewhere.

Air traffic control provider Nats has said that a “technical issue” at its base in Swanwick has caused disruption to flight.

They said: “We are limiting the number of aircraft flying in the London control area in order to ensure safety, which is always our first priority.

“We apologise for any delays this may cause.

“Our engineers are working hard to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and we are working closely with airlines to help minimise disruption.

“At this stage we cannot say how long it will be before operations are back to normal.

“Please…