FLIGHTS across the south have been thrown into chaos as technical problems strike at a Hampshire air traffic control centre.  

National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in Swanwick, near Fareham, has confirmed a technical problem at Swanwick air traffic control centre.

It has confirmed air space is open but it is restricting traffic volumes in accordance with capability it currently has in its system.

NATS has now confirmed the issue has now been resolved but there is still disruption to flights.

Just after 4pm some flights were departing from Gatwick Airport using a lower level flight plan.

Southampton Airport has confirmed the faults are causing disruption to the airport.

Spokesman from Southampton Airport said there is no exact time flights are expected to be delayed until.

She said: “At the moment we are just having a conference call with NATS to see if we can understand it better and see how we can approach it best.

“We are working with all airlines and NATS to see if we can get everything working again.

“We’re advising passengers to sit tight for now and we will keep them updated.”

Daily Echo: Flight chaos

In a statement, NATS said: "NATS can confirm that a technical problem has been reported at Swanwick air traffic control centre.

"We apologise for any delays and our incident response team has been mobilised.

"Every possible action is being taken to assist in resolving the situation and to confirm the details.

"Further information will be released as it becomes available."

A spokesman for Flybe said: "Flybe, along with all other airlines operating to and from UK airspace, has been advised by UK Air Traffic Control, that all flights are experiencing significant disruption due to a technical failure that is in the process of being resolved.

"Passengers are advised to continue checking in as normal but to monitor Flybe.com for further news.

"Flybe is working on plans to ensure that passengers are inconvenienced as little as possible during this time. The situation is out of our control but as soon as we have further information we will provide an update."

It is understood the technical problems stemmed from the flight planning server.

Press Association sports reporter Simon Peach, who landed at Heathrow this afternoon after visiting Istanbul to cover Arsenal's Champions League tie against Galatasaray, said all the people on his plane had been told they could not have their hold luggage back yet.

''There are large queues at baggage reclaim, and there was an announcement that everyone on my British Airways flight could not have their luggage now. The airline will be sending it by courier to people's homes,'' he said.

''This is affecting people flying in as well as flying out and will cost the airlines money - it is not a cheap mistake.''

It comes a year after the centre apologised after a computer glitch caused chaos for thousands of passengers.

Journeys were thrown into chaos after problems at the National Air Traffic Services control base in Swanwick, near Fareham, saw hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed, sparking the worst disruption since the volcano ash crisis.