Air Traffic Control: NI passengers still caught up in disruption

Northern Ireland travellers are among tens of thousands of people still caught up in delays resulting from Monday's UK air traffic control fault.

Passengers have been warned on Tuesday that it will "take some time" for flights to return to normal.

The UK's main air traffic control company said the disruption was caused by some flight data it received.

National Air Traffic Services (Nats) said the data saw primary and back-up systems suspend "automatic processing".

Belfast International Airport said that further delays and cancellations are likely and advised travellers to check with their airlines for updates.

Juliet Kennedy, operations director at Nats, said: "I would like to apologise for the impact on the travelling public and to tell you that our teams will continue to work to get you on your way as soon as we can."

Airlines also apologised, saying the cancellations and delays were out of their control and to expect more on Tuesday.

Passengers stranded in airports across the world described their frustration at the bank holiday disruption.

Belfast 'incredibly busy'

On Wednesday afternoon, a spokesperson for Belfast International Airport said that while there had been a "further stabilisation today of airline schedules", since Tuesday's disruption, the airport's terminal remained "incredibly busy".

In a statement, they said that that further delays and cancellations are are still likely, urging passengers to check with their airline for the latest information on their flight status.

"We would like to thank all our passengers for being so understanding under the circumstances and also to all the airport staff who were dealing with a over difficult situation," they added.

AirNav Ireland, which provides air traffic management services for Irish airspace, said it was working with airlines and airports to manage affected flights "as efficiently and quickly as possible".

The DAA, which operates Dublin and Cork airports, said in a statement that "some further flights to, from and over the UK have been impacted by either delays or cancellations today [Tuesday]."

It added that Dublin and Cork airports are working to support airline partners and make sure passengers impacted are able to resume their travel plans quickly and safely.

Dublin Airport said it expects to "be busy" on Tuesday and has deployed additional airport resources.

It also said it would waive carparking charges for those affected by the air traffic control fault.

Running out of meds

Carmel McArdle was due to fly to Belfast from Stansted airport on Monday evening. She told BBC News NI she decided to travel by train to Liverpool and catch a ferry on Tuesday morning,

"I couldn't get the information and honestly I was so flustered I decided to book onto the train and go for the ferry in Liverpool," she said.

Carmel has two serious health conditions and only brought one day's worth of extra, emergency medication.

"I only had meds for the trip and I need to get home - it's been a very stressful situation," she said.

She said a lot of people at Liverpool port had made the same decision, having travelled London, Blackpool and further afield.

Peter Martin was due to fly at 15:00 BST on Monday from Manchester to Belfast International Airport with his wife and cousin. He told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme that communication regarding his flight has not been good.

"We were moved to four different gates [at Manchester Airport] before we were told we were wrong. There was absolutely no information - it was absolutely rubbish," he said.

Mr Martin said his family are under time pressure because his wife and cousin have medical needs and are running out of medication.

"The worry is getting back - knowing that we need to get back at the latest this evening because their medication runs out and it's not something you can buy over the counter, so that's a concern for me," he added.

Three days of holiday gone

Sharon and Ian said the disruption has meant they are losing days of their holiday in Tenerife

A couple due to fly to Tenerife from Belfast International Airport on Monday said their holiday could be delayed by up to three days.

Sharon Daly and Ian Reilly from Claudy told BBC Radio Foyle people were frustrated and no-one knew what was going on.

"We waited and waited everybody was arguing. The Jet2 people hadn't a clue what to do or say - kids crying, people getting upset," said Sharon.

"We were told we would get £150 if we get somewhere to book. Basically, that is our holiday now - that we could possibly go and lose two, possibly three days of our holiday."

Everything is unknown

Wesley and Stacey Baird from Ballyclare were due home from their honeymoon in Crete on Monday but their flight was cancelled and they remain on the Greek island:

"When we got to the airport last night none of the staff knew - it took a good three hours before they knew the flight was going to be cancelled." said Mr Baird.

The couple said the scenes at Crete Airport were not good.

"There was very little communication because they [airport staff] didn't know what was happening themselves - we were told to wait in a queue outside [the airport] in thirty degree heat, no water, no nothing"

Mrs Baird said they hope to be getting on a flight home soon but with limited information everything is "unknown".

Mr Baird added that the silver lining is he gets to "spend another day" with his new wife.

If you've been affected and want to know what your travel rights are - here is an explainer from BBC News.