Snow causes severe travel disruption

Travellers are being warned of continued delays and disruption today following yesterday’s snowfall that hit large parts of the UK.

Passengers flying in and out of airports in Scotland, Heathrow and Birmingham, among others, have been advised to check the status of their departure as airlines manage the backlog of flights following Sunday’s disruption.

No joy tomorrow either from AMS to LON

Snow ploughs have cleared runways at Heathrow, where yesterday passengers tweeted they were having to wait for hours while aircraft were de-iced. The delays had a knock-on effect on arrivals, with some aircraft being unable to land.

British Airways reportedly cancelled 24 long-haul flights and dozens of short-haul flights serving Terminal 5. Flybe cancelled almost 100 flights yesterday.

BA is allowing customers due to fly yesterday and today to re-book until Monday, December 18.

Heathrow said this morning: "Some flights at Heathrow will be disrupted today due to crew and aircraft being out of position following yesterday’s weather.

"If your flight is cancelled, we ask that you do not travel to the airport and keep updated via your airline’s website. We’re working with our airline partners to return aircraft to where they need to be and full service recovery remains the focus.

"The safety and comfort of our passengers is always our first priority and we’re working closely with our airlines to ensure affected passengers are looked after. We apologise to those whose travel has been impacted and regret the inconveniences that has been caused."

Flights at other airports were affected yesterday, with aircraft unable to land at Luton in the morning.

Flights out of Birmingham are expected to be delayed today. Six morning flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh have been cancelled. Yesterday, dozens of aircraft were diverted.

Birmingham Airport said: "Passengers should be aware that there may be some knock on disruption today following yesterday’s adverse weather and freezing temperatures overnight. We apologise for any inconvenience but safety is our number one priority."

A BA spokeswoman added: "We’re very sorry that some of our customers’ travel plans have been affected by severe weather conditions.

"Heavy rain overnight and snowfall this morning, combined with a reduction in the number of flights able to land at Heathrow have caused disruption to our flight schedule. Like other airlines, we are experiencing some delays and cancellations. 

"We’re asking customers to check for information about their flights on ba.com before they set off for the airport, and not to come to the airport unless their flight is operating."

There have been delays overnight on Eurotunnel. The company said average delays are five hours, yet Twitter users have claimed delays are much longer.

Yesterday, the Port of Calais was closed after P&O Ferries’ The Pride of Kent ran aground while leaving the port, bound for Dover. There were no reported injuries and the ship was refloated within two hours.

However, bad weather in Dover and Calais today is causing long delays.

"Today has caused some operational difficulties and staff are working hard to get you on your way," P&O Ferries tweeted.

The Met Office has warned that ice is a major problem this morning, while rail services in Wales and those operated by Chiltern, Great Western and Virgin are delayed.