Flight delays due to air traffic control illness

Morning flights to and from the Isle of Man have been delayed or cancelled due to staff illness.

Airport authorities said five members of the air traffic control team were off work sick.

A three-hour delay to the operation of flights in and out of the island's airport saw the cancellation of the 06:50 BST outbound London City service and its return.

There were also delays to flights between the island and Liverpool and Manchester.

Apologising for the inconvenience to passengers, airport authorities said they had worked to have cover staff in place by 08:00.

However, a high number of passengers requiring assistance, as well as the airport needing to close for its daily break periods had contributed to no flights leaving or arriving before 9:00.

The airport has experienced issues due to a shortage of air traffic controllers in recent years.

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