UPDATE: Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System failure - action underway to return to normal operations
The issue with the ETFMS system has been identified and action is underway to return to normal operations. However, flight plans filed before 10.26 UTC were lost and aircraft operators have been requested to refile these flight plans for all aircraft that have not yet departed.
The ATFM contingency plan will be maintained for the coming few hours until we are certain that sufficient data is in the system to allow it to operate completely correctly.
We expect normal NM operations to resume by late this evening.
Today 29,500 flights were expected in the European network. Approximately half of those could have some delay as a result of the system outage.
Background
There has been a failure of the Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System (ETFMS), with also an impact on the associated flight plan system. Contingency procedures are in place which will have the effect of reducing the capacity of the European network by approximately 10%.
Work is underway to solve the issue and further information will be provided as soon as possible.
The ETFMS is central to the flow management function of the Network Manager, which regulates the flow of flights around Europe. Air Traffic Control has not been directly affected and there are no safety implications arising from this incident.
