BA systems failure could cause knock-on impact to flights

Airline computer systems were affected from about 5pm last night

A knock-on effect to flights today (Tuesday) is believed likely after British Airways suffered the latest in a series of IT failures.

The glitch affecting some of the airline’s computer systems was reported at around 5pm on Monday and was resolved after about two hours, according to the carrier.

Passengers took to social media to complain about flights being grounded but it remains unclear how widespread the problem was.

However, flights worldwide and domestically are understood to have been affected with the BA’s website going down and phone lines affected.

Delays were reported by passengers across Europe together with flights to and from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City.

BA said flights were operating but subject to delays last night.

The prospect of aircraft being out of position and crews going out of hours raised the potential of disruption today.

A BA spokesperson told national media yesterday: “Our teams worked hard to resolve an issue we experienced for a short time earlier this evening. We’ve apologised to customers for delays to their flights and ensured they were able to reach their destinations as planned.”

BA suffered from previous IT outages in May last year, in spring 2017, disrupting Bank Holiday plans, and in February 2020.

Travel Weekly, sister publication of Travolution, has approached the airline for comment.