Flight chaos at Heathrow as electronic departure screens FAIL leaving staff relying on whiteboards and causing delays and cancellations
- UK’s busiest airport said failure across all terminals was caused by a ‘IT glitch’
- Horrified passengers have described standing in queues for hours
- Pictures of white boards with flight destinations and numbers have been shared
Heathrow airport has been thrown into chaos after electric departure boards failed at all four terminals, causing delays and cancellations.
The UK’s busiest airport said it was experiencing ‘technical issues’ and wheeled out whiteboards with flight information written on them as a replacement.
Horrified passengers have described standing in queues for two hours and an absence of staff on social media.
Heathrow airport’s departure screens have failed at all four terminals, the airport said
Staff have been forced to wheel out whiteboards with flight destinations and times written on them as a replacement
Heathrow airport told MailOnline: ‘We are experiencing technical issues at the airport which we are working hard to resolve.
‘To help direct customers to their gates, we have deployed additional Heathrow colleagues across our terminals. We apologise for the disruption and will continue to provide regular updates.’
Some electronic boards and check in systems have been impacted, with passengers advised to check their airline apps for the latest information.
A number of flights have also been cancelled due to the IT failure, alongside those cancelled this weekend ahead of the arrival of Storm Dennis.
Holidaymakers trying to escape the UK for the half term period and travellers have vented their frustration on social media.
Frustrated passengers have complained about a lack of staff at the airport
One wrote: ‘IT in London Heathrow down. All screens black and no one has an idea on which gates the flights are.’
A second tweeted: ‘No Heathrow colleagues to be seen and customer service desks closed!
And a third said: ‘Computer systems down at Heathrow. No electronic tickets allowed, delays and no flight information on screens… Oh Blighty…’
Pictures of whiteboards with flight names and numbers on have been posted on social media.
Other passengers appear to be stuck on the tarmac. One wrote: ‘Flight BA461 arrived on the tarmac of Heathrow over 30 minutes ago.
‘Can we please either dock with a terminal or you send a bus to collect your passengers and staff? This delay is growing into unnecessary territory.’