Airport misery as British Airways flights delayed by technical glitch, with fears problems could stretch into Tuesday

18 November 2024, 20:34 | Updated: 18 November 2024, 21:32

British Airways flights have been delayed because of a "technical issue", leaving many passengers waiting hours for their journey home.

Thousands of passengers are thought to be affected by the delay - and the issues could stretch into tomorrow.

Travel journalist Simon Calder said: "British Airways IT system failure is causing delays of 1-2 hours on many BA flights this evening...

"As delays build up I fear there will be cancellations tonight/tomorrow."

One passenger waiting to fly in Italy said BA were an "absolute shambles".

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They added: "Three flights cancelled this month and now being made to stand on the tarmac in a very cold Verona waiting for an already delayed flight.

"What has happened to the nations airline? Not fit for purpose".

Alex Wedderburn, another passenger in Verona, said: "'British Airways, can you explain why you have hundreds of people waiting outside, in the cold, on the runaway, and there has been no communications, no collaboration from your staff, just silence and huge wait times.

"All day, constant delays, and no indication on when you are going to board this plane. 

"This is flight BA 2591, Verona airport. Everyone here has just run the Verona marathon and is exhausted and frustrated. 

"Do you think this acceptable? Please find a solution asap!"

BA said: "Our flights are currently operating, but are experiencing delays as our teams work to resolve a technical issue affecting some of our systems.

Heathrow said: "We are aware of a technical issue that British Airways are investigating, and we will be working with them to provide updates to passengers as soon as they are available.

"Heathrow systems are operating as normal."

BA's X account could be seen replying and apologising to disgruntled customers on Monday evening.

One account posted: "@British_Airways cmon let's have some updates pls on the pc outage. Stuck in vienna!!!!"

Another wrote: "@British_Airways what is happening with the load computing for aircrafts? Stuck on a plane in Rome going nowhere till the software is rebooted. Please assist!"

BA replied: "Our website is down. We are doing all we can to return online as soon as possible.

"Hopefully not too long before the Captain has his load sheet. Thanks for your understanding. Have a good journey when it is safe for you to be airborne."

It comes after news emerged that hundreds of long-haul British Airways flights had been cancelled due to a shortage of engine parts.

The airline has reportedly been forced to axe the flights amid supply-chain issues with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to the company’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Six aircraft have been grounded, around 15 per cent of the Dreamliner fleet, the Times reports.

Flights set to take off from November to April have been delayed, sources told the publication.

The daily flight from Gatwick to New York’s JFK airport will also be suspended from December 12 until the end of March.