BREAKING NEWS:GB News issues breaking alert as Simon Calder shares urgent warning
The travel expert appeared on the news channel to discuss the delays and cancellations across the country.
Simon Calder waded in on the current flight delays caused by an air traffic control fault (Image: GB News)
Travel expert Simon Calder had some grim news for travellers as GB News halted for a breaking update so he could share the latest news as air traffic control chaos struck multiple airports across the UK. National Air Traffic Services (NATS) said engineers were called in to deal with an issue at Prestwick, which handles air traffic control across Scotland and northern England.
Speaking to hosts Andrew Pierce and Miriam Cates, he said: “I am seeing dozens of [flight] cancellations. For example, EasyJet alone in and out of Glasgow and Edinburgh has cancelled a dozen flights, many of them to and from Belfast. The problem actually is in the Prestwick Centre…[they’ve] got a technical problem, and the air traffic service says it’s unrelated to the last one on September 8. However, the impact is high. If you are merely delayed an hour or so, getting to or from one of the airports, Newcastle, Leeds, Bradford, or indeed one of the Belfast airports, or anywhere in Scotland, then you’re doing well because I’m seeing lots of cancellations,” he warned.
Expanding on this, he said: “For example, British Airways to and from London Heathrow delays of up to four hours, but also cancellations. Those right connections are of course really important for the people who are changing planes,” he said.
A NATS spokesperson issued a statement which said: “We are investigating a technical issue at our Prestwick centre in Scotland. To maintain safety, air traffic regulations have been applied to manage traffic demand.
“Engineers are on site investigating and working to resolve the issue. The issue is unrelated to the technical problems experienced earlier this month.
“We apologise for the disruption and any delays to passengers’ journeys. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest information on their flight.”
Simon Caldwell appeared on GB News to discuss travel delays with Andrew Pierce and Miriam Cates (Image: GB News)
Simon elaborated on that saying: “We’re talking about incredibly complicated software, and the argument at the end of last week was: ‘Well, frankly, we’re handling the busiest skies in the world. We’ve got very complicated systems. Stuff’s going to go wrong.’
“And bluntly they are saying we are going to get smarter at turning it off and turning it on again because that’s what they did last time.
“I haven’t yet heard whether they’ve turned the Prestwick centre off and turned it on again.
“But I do know there’s an awful lot of rather upset, stressed people desperate to get away on holiday, to go work trips in family or whatever it is and once again, they’ve been flummoxed,” he fumed.
