Gatwick apologises for information blackout that caused some to miss flights
Gatwick Airport has apologised for yesterday’s computer failure that caused ‘a handful’ of passengers to miss flights.
A problem with the fibre optic cables of a system provided by Vodafone meant that the airport’s flight information screens weren’t working from 7am until around 5pm.
As a result, it was forced to write flight information on temporary white boards and staff shouted out gate numbers to crowds of passengers waiting in the departure lounges..
In a statement, Gatwick said the airport’s ‘manual contingency plan’ which included having extra staff on hand to help direct passengers, had worked well. No flights were cancelled or delayed as a result, it said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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