Source: Xinhua| 2019-08-08 18:34:45|Editor: huaxia

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British Airways planes are seen at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain on Oct. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)



A major IT meltdown that sparks disruption for tens of thousands of holidaymakers across UK has been resolved, the airline says.

LONDON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- British Airways (BA) said Wednesday that a major IT failure that left tens of thousands of passengers stranded earlier in the day has been resolved, but it "could take a week" to clear the backlog.



Around 20,000 passengers suffered cancellations after the airline halted 117 flights due to operate to or from Heathrow, a London airport. Another 10 were cancelled from Gatwick, another airport in the British capital.

Meanwhile, 300 flights were also delayed, with some services lagging more than five hours behind schedule.

A British Airways plane lands at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain on Oct. 17, 2018. (Xinhua/Tim Ireland)



The problem had prompted BA to use manual systems for check-in at airports, causing long queues.



BA said it was offering customers the opportunity to rebook flights, but could face a bill of more than 8 million pounds (9.72 million U.S. dollars) if all affected customers claim compensation under European Union rules.