UPDATED: Swiss airspace re-opens after ‘technical malfunction’

A technical problem with the air traffic control system halted take-offs and landings at Swiss airports early on Wednesday morning. Flights resumed from Zurich and Geneva from 8:30am, the Skyguide agency confirmed.

Skyguide initially said the closure would be in effect “until further notice” after the malfunction early in the morning.

A few hours later, it said   the airspace closure had been lifted at 8:30am local time and air traffic over Switzerland had resumed along with operations at the country’s two national airports in Geneva and Zurich.

“Skyguide regrets this incident and its consequences for its customers and partners, as well as for the passengers at the two national airports,” it said in a statement.

Skyguide did not give any details about the computer crash.

“We now expect flight operations to resume at reduced capacity before midday,” Zurich Airport said in statement , advising passengers to check information provided by airlines before departing for the airport. It added that check-in was continuing.

Geneva Airport also tweeted that traffic had started to resume progressively from 8:30am but “several flights are cancelled”. Affected passengers are advised to contact their airlines for further information.

Swiss International Air Lines said  arriving long-haul flights were being diverted to various airports in neighbouring countries, including Milan, Lyon and Vienna. Short-haul flights are currently not taking off, it said.

Via Swissinfo