British Airways cancels all flights from London's Heathrow, Gatwick after IT failure

The airline said it had found "no evidence that it's a cyber attack," with Britain still recovering from a ransomware attack earlier this month.

British Airways passenger planes are seen parked on the tarmac at Heathrow Airport in London in this March 2008 (File photo/Reuters) 

LONDON: British Airways said Saturday it had cancelled all its flights out of major London airports Heathrow and Gatwick after an IT systems failure.

"We have experienced a major IT system failure that is causing very severe disruption to our flight operations worldwide," BA said in a statement.

"The terminals at Heathrow and Gatwick have become extremely congested and we have cancelled all flights from Heathrow and Gatwick before 6.00 pm UK time today (1700 GMT), so please do not come to the airports."

The airline said it had found "no evidence that it's a cyber attack," with Britain still recovering from a ransomware attack earlier this month that crippled key infrastructure.

Travellers wrote on Twitter that they were unable to check in or use the airline's app while others were left grounded on the tarmac.

"We are on the runway.. For hour now.. no offer of drinks.. and because ba only takes cards now, we only have cash...wat we supposed to do!!?? (SIC)," wrote user Julie Adie.

The airline has suffered previous IT glitches, with passengers hit by severe delays in July and September last year.