Live updates: Misery for thousands at UK airports as transatlantic flights are cancelled after US grounded ALL planes - days after AI 'Smart' tool was launched

Detailed summary

Follow the Daily Mail's coverage as air passengers face disruption after all flights were grounded across the US days after an AI 'Smart' tool was launched:

Follow the Daily Mail's coverage as UK air passengers face disruption after all flights were grounded across the US days after an AI 'Smart' tool was launched:

Thousands of passengers flying to and from UK airports are facing travel chaos after a rare nationwide ground stop was issued in the US.

British Airways has cancelled a flight to New York which had been due to take off from London Heathrow at 10.30pm on Friday.

A spokesman for Manchester Airport confirmed three US-bound flights scheduled to leave on Saturday morning – all operated by Virgin Atlantic – are likely to be affected if the issue is not resolved soon.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: 'We're aware of the ground stop order issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for all US airports.

'We're closely monitoring the situation and assessing any impact to our flights. We advise any customers due to travel to check their flight status at virginatlantic.com.'

A new AI-supported air traffic system was launched just three days before all US planes were grounded yesterday for the longest period of time since 9/11.

The technology - known as Strategic Management of Airspace or 'SMART' - was rolled out to 22 air route traffic control centres on Tuesday.

The tool brings together around 200 'data streams' onto a single platform, The Washington Times reported.

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