FLIGHTS in and out of Inverness Airport have been cancelled or delayed due to “technical issues” in the air traffic control tower with hundreds of passengers stranded.

A flight due to arrive at Stornoway at 9am was cancelled while arrivals expected on Monday morning and early afternoon from Bristol, Luton, Amsterdam and Sumburgh have all been delayed.

Flights due to leave Inverness for Stornoway and Sumburgh this morning have also been pulled while departures for Amsterdam, Gatwick, Heathrow and Bristol have been delayed.

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A Highlands and Islands Airports Limited spokesperson has confirmed the major disruption has been caused by a technical issue with air traffic control equipment.

Staff are working to resolve the matter and an update will be published when the issue is fixed.

It comes after firefighters were called to Inverness Airport in the early hours of Monday after a fire alarm went off.

A Scottish and Fire Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We were called to Inverness Airport at 3:55am after reports of a fire alarm.

“There was no fire and we left at 5:07am.”

A HIAL spokesperson said: “Due to a technical issue with air traffic control equipment, flights are delayed at Inverness airport.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and advise passengers to contact airlines for updates.”