AIRPORTS across the UK are warning passengers of further disruption after an air traffic control issue caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled or delayed.
Nats, the UK's air traffic control provider, said recovery from the incident was taking "longer than hoped" as airlines and airports worked to clear a backlog of flights.
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Heathrow, Manchester and East Midlands airports were among those reporting significant disruption, while airports across Scotland and Ireland were also affected.
The problems have left aircraft and passengers in the wrong places across Europe, creating a knock-on effect that could take time to resolve.
One industry source said: "There's now a backlog of flights and aircraft across Europe in the wrong place – sorting all of this out will take time."
Are UK airports still facing disruption?
Passengers have been warned that disruption could continue into Wednesday, even though some airports are expecting to operate a full schedule of flights.
Airports have cautioned that terminals and flights could be busier than normal as airlines work to accommodate passengers whose journeys were disrupted on Tuesday.
The knock-on effects could therefore continue even if the underlying air traffic control problem has been resolved.
Which airports have been affected?
Heathrow, Manchester and East Midlands airports were among those to report significant disruption following the air traffic control issue.
Airports in Scotland and Ireland have also experienced delays.
Passengers travelling on Wednesday have been advised to check directly with their airline for the latest information before heading to the airport.
How many passengers have been affected?
Ryanair said around 65,000 of its passengers had been delayed by up to eight hours as a result of the disruption.
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British Airways also warned customers and staff could face a "significant knock-on impact" from the incident.
The airline disruption is expected to continue as aircraft and crews are repositioned and airlines deal with the backlog created by Tuesday's cancellations and delays.
Why is there still disruption after the problem?
Although the immediate air traffic control issue may have eased, the effects can continue long after flights start operating again.
Aircraft can end up in the wrong airports, while pilots, cabin crew and passengers can also be displaced.
Airlines then have to reposition aircraft and crews and accommodate passengers whose original flights were cancelled or delayed.
That means a disruption lasting several hours can affect flight schedules well into the following day.
What should passengers do?
Passengers due to fly should check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Those affected by cancellations or delays should follow instructions from their airline regarding rebooking or alternative travel arrangements.
With airports warning of increased passenger numbers on Wednesday, travellers should also allow extra time for their journey.
The full impact of the disruption is expected to become clearer as airlines and airports work through the backlog.
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