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Computer fault grounds airplanes

A computer fault delayed a number of flights out of U.K. airports on Wednesday.

Steve Ranger UK editor-in-chief, TechRepublic and ZDNet
Steve Ranger is the UK editor-in-chief of ZDNet and TechRepublic. An award-winning journalist, Steve writes about the intersection of technology, business and culture, and regularly appears on TV and radio discussing tech issues. Previously he was the editor of silicon.com.
Steve Ranger

A computer fault delayed a number of flights out of U.K. airports on Wednesday. The country's National Air Traffic Services said that its Flight Data Processing system at West Drayton near London developed a fault at 9.30 BST, but was restored to full operations by 9.50 BST.

Nats said restrictions were imposed on flights as a result of the fault and that thosse led to delays for some travellers, but added that the restrictions have been lifted and air traffic controllers are working to clear the backlog. According to reports from the BBC, 100 flights at Heathrow Airport were directly affected by the fault as no planes were allowed to take off for 40 minutes.

Steve Ranger of Silicon.com reported from London. For the full story, click here.