British Airways passengers are facing huge delays and cancelled flights due to a system failure at Heathrow Airport.
The airline tweeted: “We are experiencing disruption to our flights as a result of an issue with some of our IT systems.
“We are working hard to urgently resolve the matter and are sorry for the disruption to some customers’ travel plans.”
Passengers are being advised to book overnight accommodation as Heathrow Terminal Five was affected due to the computer failure. Four long-haul flights have been cancelled so far.
Many were complaining that their flights had been cancelled with one social media user stating: “Two Heathrow flights cancelled and no information from staff here. Clarity on process for rebooking a flight for tomorrow would be great.”
Online check-in was also reported to have problems for passengers.
A British Airways spokesman told Express.co.uk: “As with a number of airlines we experience some disruption at Heathrow a result of an issue with a supplier IT system earlier this evening.
“We are sorry for the disruption to our customers’ travel plans.”
Sky News reporter Darren McCaffrey, who was caught up in the chaos, tweeted: “Passengers arriving at Heathrow T5 (I’m one of them) are being told that another computer system failure means NO British Airways flights are taking off.
“Passengers being told to go and book hotels or seek alternative travel arrangements”.
Another passenger remarked there was “utter chaos at LHR, no communication, no emergency processes and no clue”.
One person tweeted: “@British_Airways great at sorting out flight disruption. @HeathrowAirport shocking at letting domestic passers out of airport. Waiting over 1.5 hrs now”
Last year, another technical failure affected British Airways passengers.
Approximately 726 flights were cancelled over three days with more than 75,000 passengers were affected.
Some passengers were forced to sleep on the floor at the terminal over the May weekend.
An estimated £100 million was estimated to have been given in compensation.
The IT failure was blamed on an “uncontrolled return of power” which damaged the server.
Earlier today, passengers at Heathrow Airport were affected after an emergency alarm.
Air traffic control was evacuated and flights were unable to land or take off.
Fire engines rushed to the scene and found no problems but many flights were delayed.
Some were forced to divert to other UK airports or return to their destinations.
Passengers took to social media with one complaining of a “three to five hour delay”.
