Switzerland shuts down its airspace after computer defect

Switzerland shut down its air space Wednesday following a computer defect with the air traffic control system that brought about and stopped flights. The news was given by Swiss Civil Aviation Authority officials saying that “Swiss airspace is closed to air traffic for security reasons following the failure of the Skyguide computer, the Swiss air traffic control service”.

No details about the malfunction of the computer system were provided in the statement, but it was said that “apologises for this incident and its consequences for clients, partners and passengers at Geneva and Zurich airports and is being worked to find a” solution.

Earlier, the Geneva airport said in a tweet that it was stopping all its flights until 11am (0900 GMT) due to the computer system's failure.

Swiss news agency “A TS-Keystone” said international flights to Switzerland were being redirected to Milan.