Flights at Edinburgh Airport have been suspended following a critical IT issue affecting air traffic control systems.
The disruption has grounded all take-offs and landings, causing significant inconvenience for passengers and airlines alike.
An Edinburgh Airport spokesperson confirmed that engineers are working urgently to resolve the issue, which has already resulted in numerous inbound flights being diverted to other airports.
Passengers are being urged to check flight statuses with their airlines before travelling to the airport. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Travellers have been advised to:
Contact Airlines Directly: Confirm flight schedules and updates to avoid unnecessary trips to the airport.
Monitor Social Media and Website: Edinburgh Airport’s official channels will provide real-time updates on the situation.
Edinburgh Airport is the busiest in Scotland, handling over 14.7 million passengers annually as of 2019.
It serves as a critical gateway for domestic and international travel, with popular routes connecting Scotland to major cities in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Airports rely heavily on robust IT infrastructure for managing air traffic, coordinating with airlines, and ensuring passenger safety. A disruption of this nature can have cascading effects, including:
Delays and Diversions: Flights unable to land may divert to Glasgow, Newcastle, or other nearby airports.
Passenger Backlogs: Cancelled or delayed departures can lead to congestion at terminal facilities.
Operational Challenges: Airlines face logistical hurdles in reassigning crews, aircraft, and passenger accommodations.
This incident adds to a series of IT-related disruptions in global aviation. In August 2023, a widespread UK air traffic control failure caused over 2,000 flight cancellations, impacting more than 250,000 passengers.
Similarly, technical issues at major airports like Heathrow and Gatwick have demonstrated the vulnerabilities of IT systems in the sector.
