Flight disruption caused by power cut

Disruption to flights at Birmingham Airport overnight was caused by a power cut affecting radar equipment in Shropshire, it has been revealed.

The issue, caused by "bad weather" at Titterstone Clee Hill's radar station, was resolved at 01:25 GMT, but saw departing flights delayed and arrivals suspended between 21:00 and 00:15.

A National Grid spokesperson told the BBC that engineers repaired a fault on an overhead power line.

NATS Holdings, which operates the radar system, added that it had since restored the equipment serving Birmingham Airport and that it was now "operating normally again".

Birmingham Airport also said it had worked closely with NATS during the evening to rectify the issue and apologised for the delay to customers.

BBC CWR radio presenter Phil Upton was caught up in the "airport drama" on his way back to the second city from Glasgow.

Taking to X, he posted: "Returning from a weekend in Glasgow @easyJet diverted to Manchester - we're told radar problems."

Upton added: "Waiting for coach replacement back."

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