An Air Malta aircraft is stuck in Heathrow because of a technical fault.

The aircraft was due to arrive in Malta at 3.35 p.m. but it did not leave London because of the problem.

Engineers tried to repair the fault but since repairs were taking longer than expected, Air Malta is dispatching a relief aircraft to pick up the passengers.

The flight is now expected at 2.30 a.m.

A spokesman for Air Malta apologised for the delay but said that safety considerations were the number one priority for the airline.

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