London Gatwick flights suspended over air traffic control issue

[DaveReidUK]

Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended due to what it says is an issue in its control tower.

The airport apologised and said it had experienced a problem with its air traffic control systems.

In a statement Gatwick said it was working "to rectify this issue as quickly as possible".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-48944552

[sejo]

EGKK (London Gatwick)
Arrivals unavailable from 1610-2100 due to an ATC technical issue (Electronic flight processing failure)
High delays.

From Eurocontrol NOP.

[gordonroxburgh]

.....remind me, did LGW move tower ATC operations to a German company who were the lowest bidder to run it?

Well that's their SLA and Profit busted in all in one go and LGWs reputation further tarnished.

[mike current]

Originally Posted by gordonroxburgh

.....remind me, did LGW move tower ATC operations to a German company who were the lowest bidder to run it?

They're using the same systems that Nats installed there. Maybe it could have happened to Nats too?

[gordonroxburgh]

Originally Posted by mike current

They're using the same systems that Nats installed there. Maybe it could have happened to Nats too?

So are you saying they just used the legacy systems and did not invest in a tech refresh as part of the new contract?

[Airbubba]

Looks like departures and arrivals have resumed despite an LGW tweet to the contrary a few minutes ago.

Twitter

[sejo]

EGKK (London Gatwick)
The ATC technical issues have slightly improved with an arrivals recovery regulation applied at a reduced rate
Delays remain High.
The situation is ongoing and NM will update accordingly.

[mike current]

Originally Posted by gordonroxburgh

So are you saying they just used the legacy systems and did not invest in a tech refresh as part of the new contract?

I don't know. I would imagine that LGW airport own the hardware, not the ANSP. Nats didn't take hardware away when they left! I can't speak about software or upgrades. But generally decisions on system upgrades rest with the airport operator, not the ANSP.
The ANSP will work alongside to implement them.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

So can't they revert to the old manual system while it is fixed?

[PanzerJohn]

A chap, or chapess, with a couple of bats?.

[brianj]

Nice thought but few ATSA’s to prepare strips!, And it’s Wednesday evening, Indian Takeaway evening......

[ZOOKER]

Strips?? Wow, that's way back. Does anyone still print them?

[10 DME ARC]

Amazing!! Pen's, strips and telephone line......clear decks of what you got then reduced flow! At very least land your inbounds!!

[OvertHawk]

Originally Posted by 10 DME ARC

Amazing!! Pen's, strips and telephone line......clear decks of what you got then reduced flow! At very least land your inbounds!!

And where do you park them if you can't release your outbounds?

[brianj]

Follow Boeing’s example and use the staff car parks?

[OvertHawk]

Originally Posted by brianj

Follow Boeing’s example and use the staff car parks?

A splendid idea - I look forward to watching them try to load the aeroplanes onto the bus!