Flights at southern England airports, including London Stansted, suspended until 6pm at the earliest

Flights at southern England airports including London Stansted have been suspended until at least 6pm due to a problem at the UK air traffic control centre at Swanwick in Hampshire, air traffic management company Eurocontrol said

The news was announced in a brief message on flight safety body Eurocontrol’s website.

UK air traffic controllers Nats confirmed a “technical problem” at its Swanwick control centre in Hampshire.

It said in a statement “every possible action” was being taken to resolve the problem.

A Stansted Airport spokesman confirmed that departing flights are currently suspended, but said arriving flights were still coming in at present.

He advised passengers to check the airport website for updates as the situation was “very fluid”.

London’s Heathrow Airport reported flights were “currently experiencing delays”.

Eurocontrol said: “There has been a failure of the flight data computer server at London ACC [area control centre].

“Engineers are working on the problem and more information will be given when available.”

Are you affected by the airspace closure? Call the newsdesk on 01799 513000 or email newsroom@archant.co.uk