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Saturday, March 25, 2023

Bad Weather: UK Airports Suspend Flights

 

All flights have been suspended at Stansted Airport after it was forced to close its runway due to bad weather.

Heathrow and Gatwick also canceled or delayed flights after snow, ice and freezing fog swept the UK.

A yellow weather warning remained in place for Scotland, London and southwest England until Monday morning, with the disruption set to continue.

Trains have also been delayed and drivers warned to take care after several motorway accidents.

Stansted said on Sunday night its only runway was closed to allow for snow clearance due to weather conditions and all flights were suspended.

“Delays to flights were experienced earlier due to de-icing of aircraft which is a ground handler’s responsibility and safety of aircraft and passengers is paramount,” a spokesman added.

“Passengers are advised to check with their airline for current status of their flights.”

The BBC has contacted the airport to ask when the runway will reopen.

James Love told the BBC he was stuck on a Loganair plane at Stansted for several hours which was unable to take off.

“The captain wanted to de-ice the wing,” he said. “But by the time the ground crew had come over to do that and the plane was ready, the runway shut and we had to return to stand.”

However, he said the crew had been great and made the “whole thing a lot better, or at least as good as can be for this kind of situation”.

More than 50 flights were canceled at Heathrow on Sunday, after freezing fog resulted in air traffic control restrictions on the number of aircraft that could land and depart per hour.

The airport said it was keeping passengers safe and trying to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible.

“We encourage passengers to check their flight status with their airline for the latest information,” a spokeswoman said.

British Airways, the Heathrow’s biggest airline, said it had apologized to customers and was refunding or rebooking anyone whose flight had been canceled and providing refreshment and hotel vouchers where needed.

It said Heathrow was going to restrict flights in and out of the airport again on Monday, meaning more disruption.

Gatwick Airport temporarily closed one of its runways at 17:55 GMT on Sunday due to un-forecast snow and reopened it at 20:00 when conditions were safer.

A number of flights were delayed or canceled, while 28 others were also diverted to other airports during the closure.

“Every effort is being made to get these flights back to Gatwick tonight,” a spokesman said.

“Freezing weather conditions are expected to continue this evening and may cause further disruption at the airport.

“Passengers traveling this evening and tomorrow are advised to check their flight status with the airline – and also local travel conditions – before departing for the airport.”

A spokesperson for London Luton Airport warned that there could be disruption to flights and also advised passengers to allow extra time when traveling to the airport.

On Saturday, Manchester Airport closed both runways due to “heavy snowfall”, with dozens of flights affected.

Some passengers complained on Sunday about a lack of information from airlines on the cancellations.

Others said they had been unable to get off planes due to the icy conditions.

Stansted and Gatwick were unable to say whether they would cancel flights on Monday. – BBC

Source: BBC.

 

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