UK passengers desperately trying to travel ahead of the New Year have been hit by severe disruption at the country’s busiest airports.
Thick fog has shrouded the country in recent days - wrecking havoc on festive travel plans as airports struggle to return to their normal flight scheduled after Christmas.
Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester, the UK’s three busiest airports, are among those affected by the bad weather.
Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed on Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. Several to destinations such as Guernsey, Dublin, Munich and Hurghada were also delayed by over four hours.
A spokesperson for Manchester airport said it was experiencing delays as a reult of the fog but said passengers due to travel should prepare as normal and aim to arrive at the airport in line with their airline’s advice.
Travellers are being urged to check with their airline as air traffic restrictions are in place, the country’s main air traffic controlprovider Nats said on Friday.
It added that it was continuing to monitor the situation alongside a Met Office expert “embedded” in its operation.
Key Points
- Air passengers facing heavy delays
- Delays of over four hours
- EasyJet experiencing disruption
Chaos on the Eurostar
21:30 , Simon CalderPassengers were stuck on a Eurostar train in the Channel Tunnel for two-and-a-half hours after an apparent breakdown of the London to Paris service. They are finally expected to arrive in the French capital six hours behind schedule.
On one of the busiest travel days of the festive season, the first train of the day from London St Pancras International departed on time at 6.01am. It was due to arrive at Paris Gare du Nord at 9.20am local time. But it broke down in the Channel Tunnel.
Gaby Koppel, a television producer, told The Independent: “We stopped in the tunnel about an hour into the journey, so roughly 7am UK time.
“There were occasional loudspeaker announcements saying they did not know what the fault was. Eventually they said at 9am that we would get going ‘in 20 minutes’ but we are still here.”
The train eventually started moving at 9.30am. Passengers have been taken to Calais Fréthun station to await a replacement train. They are expected to be at least four-and-a-half hours late arriving in Paris.
Flights cancelled as evening goes on
20:57 , Athena StavrouAs the evening goes on, an increasing number of flights are being cancelled from Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow.
After a day full of severe delays, there could be more delats as flying curfews come into effect later on in the evening.
Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption as UK’s two busiest stations closed
20:28 , Athena StavrouAcross the UK, passengers are facing travel delays by air and by land - as many are hit by train delays.
After Christmas, millions of people are on the move around Britain. But anyone planning to travel by train during the remaining five days 2024 faces possible disruption due to a combination of rail engineering work and strikes.
Even though most stations and routes have reopened after two days of closure, the UK’s two busiest stations – Liverpool Street and Paddington in London – remain shut, with disarray elsewhere.
All the advice and information you need is here:
Is my train running today? Passengers face rail disruption until end of year
Passengers describe chaos leaving Gatwick
19:56 , Athena StavrouA number of flights have now been cancelled from Gatwick after major delays throughout the day due to fog.
Passengers trying to leave the airport have vented their frustration on social media, as they describe “huge queues” and “no communication” telling them how to exit the airport.
One wrote on X: “@British_Airways an absolute disgrace tonight at @Gatwick_Airport Cancelled flight, then left passengers stranded in departures with no way to leave airport and collect luggage. No communication, nobody on the counters. Complete shambles.”
🚨 @British_Airways an absolute disgrace tonight at @Gatwick_Airport
— Dan Pordes (@DanPordes) December 27, 2024
Cancelled flight, then left passengers stranded in departures with no way to leave airport and collect luggage.
No communication, nobody on the counters. Complete shambles.
Passengers share frustration on social media
19:38 , Athena StavrouPassengers delayed at Manchester Airport have shared their frustration as they await to see if their flights will be cancelled.
One traveller said they faced a two hour delay but could not get into an airline lounge to wait in comfort as it was full.
Great start ! 2 hour delay and all the airline lounges are full . Oh well ‘wait list’ it is then .. #airport #manchester @ManchesterairA pic.twitter.com/6S2QGsnn0r
— steve (@bagshaw2112) December 27, 2024
Advice for drivers amid heavy fog
19:25 , Athena StavrouNational Highways, which runs the UK’s motorways and busiest A-roads, said the misty weather is not having a significant impact on its network.
However, it reminded motorists to use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters while driving in foggy conditions.
Man trying to return home after father’s death ‘devastated’ by delays
19:07 , Athena StavrouJohn Mitchell, 47, is desperate to get back to Aberdeen after finding out his father passed away on Friday morning.
Mr Mitchell, who had been in London visiting friends, booked a last-minute EasyJet flight from Gatwick Airport on Friday which has now been delayed for more than three hours due to the foggy weather conditions.
Mr Mitchell says he is “absolutely devastated” and hopes his flight which has been delayed till 10.53pm actually flies on Friday.
“I was actually supposed to be in London till Sunday, but I’ve had a family bereavement. My dad passed away this morning,” Mr Mitchell told the PA news agency.
“The flight I booked is for 7.35pm but is now estimated to leave at 10.53pm – nearly three-and-a-half hours late. I’m worried because Aberdeen airport has got restrictions for late flights.
“I’m a mess down here, because, obviously, once I get home – if I get home to Aberdeen tonight – my car is actually at the airport, which is fine.
“I’m going to have to go and see my family, and I’m not going to get to them at 11.30am tomorrow morning.
“I’m absolutely devastated. I don’t know what to do.”
Wave of flight cancellations at Manchester
18:54 , Athena StavrouLive departure boards are now showing that around half a dozen flights set to leave Manchester Airport on Friday evening have now been cancelled.
It comes after almost every flight set to depart from the airport today had been delayed due to fog.
Heathrow also facing delays
18:27 , Athena StavrouPassengers travelling from Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport have also been hit by delays today.
A number of British Airways flights were cancelled, while hundreds more flights due to depart from the airport today were delayed - some by several hours.
Delays of over four hours
18:13 , Athena StavrouSome passengers at Gatwick and Manchester Airport have faced delays of over four hours today.
Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed on Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. Several to destinations such as Guernsey, Dublin, Munich and Hurghada were also delayed by over four hours.
The delays appeared to be less severe at Gatwick, though most were around the two hour mark.
Flights into the evening at both airports are still currently expecting to face delays, according to flight radar.
EasyJet experiencing disruption
18:01 , Athena StavrouBritain’s biggest budget airline, EasyJet, said it is currently experiencing some disruption to its flying programme due to low visibility.
“While this is outside of our control, we are doing all we can to minimise the impact of the delays,” a spokesperson said.
Full statement from air traffic control
18:00 , Athena StavrouTravellers are being urged to check with their airline as air traffic restrictions are in place at several UK airports due to fog, the country’s main air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats said on Friday.
A Nats spokesperson 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.
“We continue to monitor the situation and have a Met Office expert embedded within our operation to ensure we have the latest available information. Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption.”
Air passengers facing heavy delays
18:00 , Athena StavrouAirline passengers are facing heavy delays days before the new year as thick fog wreaks havoc on the busiest UK airports.
Gatwick and Manchester, the UK’s second and third busiest airports, are among those affected by the bad weather.
Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed on Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. Several to destinations such as Guernsey, Dublin, Munich and Hurghada were also delayed by over four hours.
