Dozens of flights from major airports cancelled & hundreds delayed as ‘dense fog’ shrouds UK
HUNDREDS of flights from major airports have been delayed and dozens cancelled due to fog.
Travellers returning home after Christmas or heading abroad for New Year have had their plans scarpered due to safety concerns.
The main disruption is at Gatwick and Manchester airports, but flights at Heathrow have also been affected.
A spokesperson for the airport could not confirm whether the disruption was caused by the weather.
The UK’s main air traffic control provider, Nats, said: “Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK today.”
“Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety,” Nats added.
The association said staff are working “closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption”.
Travellers are being advised to check their flights before heading to the airport.
As well as cancellations and delays of flights leaving the UK, Flightrader24 said inbound journeys were also being affected.
Ryanair issued a warning to customers: “Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling to/from the UK today should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by these weather conditions.
“They are outside of Ryanair’s control and affect all airlines operating to/from the UK today.”
A woman travelling from Germany to the UK had her flight delayed by nearly seven hours due to the bad weather.
She told the BBC: “We’ve started boarding [at Cologne Airport] but are crammed into a space where we’re waiting for the bus. We’ve been standing for about an hour, it’s just been a bit of a nightmare.
“I am from Cologne so we spent few days here over Christmas with my family.
“We are about to have a delayed Christmas and New Year with my husband’s family in North Wales.”
This comes as temperatures are set to plummet on New Year’s Eve.
Partygoers may have to hit the town with their coats on to see in 2025 as figures are forecast to drop as low as -2C.
The Met Office has also issued a fresh yellow weather warning for rain which comes into force from midnight on Monday.
It ends as the bells strike midnight on New Year’s Eve and covers the whole of Scotland.
Those affected can expect “heavy rain” that “may bring significant disruption in the build up to New Year.
There will be a small chance of power cuts and flooding, while public transport could also see delays.
Drivers have been warned of difficult driving condition and possible road closures too.
“There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life,” the agency added.
Meanwhile, bone-chilling -2C temperatures are predicted in northern Scotland, but much of the country is set to remain just above freezing.
Elsewhere, Met Office meteorologists forecast the north of England and Midlands will hover at around 4C.