Gatwick IT glitch stops flights landing or taking off during peak period

Diversions and delays as air traffic controllers forced to switch to backup system at airport

A computer glitch at the Gatwick control tower left flights unable to land or take off at Britain's second biggest airport during the morning peak.

Three planes were diverted to other London airports as controllers from Air Navigation Services were forced to shut down the malfunctioning IT and guide planes in under a backup system.