Travelers face delays and cancellations for the second day
Travel chaos persisted across the UK on Saturday as heavy fog caused widespread flight cancellations and delays at major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester.
At Heathrow, 20 flights were cancelled and another 29 delayed, while Gatwick saw 26 delayed flights and one cancellation.
The disruption follows Friday’s widespread delays, with hundreds of flights across the UK affected by the dense fog blanketing much of England and Wales.
Gatwick Airport issued an apology to passengers, citing temporary air traffic restrictions imposed due to poor visibility.
“We understand this is frustrating for passengers and are working to minimize delays,” a spokesperson said, adding that disruptions could last throughout the day.
Simon Calder, a travel journalist, explained the cascading effect of the weather. “Planes and their pilots aren’t necessarily in the right place to start getting people where they need to be,” he told, noting that Friday’s delays compounded Saturday’s issues.
Passengers Share Frustrations
Passengers stranded by the fog have described challenging journeys. Irem, 36, whose flight from Cologne, Germany, to Manchester was delayed by nearly seven hours, said the experience was exhausting.
“We’ve been crammed into a waiting area for over an hour,” she told. “It’s been a bit of a nightmare, but we’re lucky we’ll still get to see family tomorrow.”
For many, the disruptions impacted festive plans, with delayed reunions and missed opportunities to celebrate Christmas and New Year with loved ones.
Fog Expected to Linger Before Clearing
Forecasters predict the fog, which has been trapped by a slow-moving area of high pressure, will persist through much of Saturday, particularly in southern England and Wales. However, visibility is expected to improve later in the day.
Sunday promises clearer skies, with sunny spells anticipated across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Impact on Roads and Rail
While airports bore the brunt of the disruptions, the fog also posed challenges for motorists. National Highways, which manages the UK’s busiest roads, warned drivers to take precautions.
“Use dipped headlights, wipers, and demisters while driving in foggy conditions,” a spokesperson advised, adding that the misty weather was not having a significant impact on its network.
Travelers Urged to Plan Ahead
With the fog-induced disruptions ongoing, passengers are being advised to check their flight status before heading to airports. Airlines and airports are working to reallocate planes and crews, though the knock-on effects of the delays are expected to linger.
Meanwhile, travelers like Irem are striving to remain patient and hopeful as they await clearer skies and smoother journeys.
As the UK continues to navigate this spell of adverse weather, the aviation and travel industries are on high alert, bracing for more challenges while striving to get passengers to their destinations safely.
