The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
An air traffic meltdown that hit Britain last week was caused by a "one in 15 million" event, the boss of traffic control provider NATS said, after it cited a flight plan with two identically named markers as the reason for the chaos.
Thousands of passengers were stranded abroad for days after 1,500 flights were cancelled on Aug. 28, during one of the busiest travel periods of the summer.
"This was a one in 15 million chance," NATS CEO Martin Rolfe told the BBC.
"We've processed 15 million flight plans with this system up until this point and never seen this before."
Rolfe said a few days ago the problem would not be repeated.
The NATS report published on Wednesday said the flight plan included two identically named but separate waypoint markers outside UK airspace, which forced the system to enter fail-safe mode.
"In these circumstances, the system could not reject the flight plan without a clear understanding of what possible impact it may have had. Nor could it be allowed through and risk presenting air traffic controllers with incorrect safety-critical information," NATS said.
NATS said the flight plan was compliant with Eurocontrol's flight planning distribution system.
Britain's civil aviation regulator said it would review circumstances surrounding the failure.
"If there is evidence to suggest NATS may have breached its statutory and licensing obligations we will consider whether any further action is necessary," Rob Bishton, Joint-Interim Chief Executive at the UK's CAA, said in a statement.
That means NATS could end up footing some of the bill for the chaos.
Global airline group IATA has said the episode could cost airlines up to 100 million pounds ($126 million) as passengers whose flights were cancelled will be able to claim back expenses for the hotels they stayed in or the new tickets they bought.
Britain-based airline easyJet said the NATS report left some questions unanswered, and although it welcomed the review it believed a more wide-ranging examination of resources and I.T. systems was necessary.
"A full independent and wide-ranging review of NATS is needed to ensure it is fit for purpose today and in the future," easyJet said.
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world3 days ago
This time around, Trump wants the Senate to give up that gatekeeping role and allow him to make 'recess appointments'
world3 days ago
Police allege the offences took place between 2001 and 2019 against 8 victims; the youngest was 17 at the time of the offence
world3 days ago
The two countries have a mutual defence treaty dating back to 1951, which could be invoked if either side came under attack, including in the South China Sea
world4 days ago
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger on Narendra Modi in Abuja on Sunday
world4 days ago
The titleholder's winning answer focused on using each individual's strengths
world4 days ago
The suspects would be interrogated jointly with the Shin Bet internal security agency, police said
world4 days ago
The attack took place at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology in Jiangsu province
world5 days ago