Heathrow getaway chaos as 90 flights are cancelled and 200 delayed due to ‘severe’ gales amid busiest Christmas travel season on record
Hundreds of passengers are facing Christmas travel chaos as 90 flights from Heathrow Airport are cancelled and 200 more delayed amid weather warnings for strong wind.
A Heathrow spokesperson said ‘a small number of flights’ have been cancelled on Saturday due to ‘strong winds and airspace restrictions’.
They added: ‘This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.
‘We know how important travel at this time of year is and have extra colleagues on hand in our terminals to support people on their journeys.
Currently, 33 flights from the west London airport have been axed today, and another 58 tomorrow.
Hundreds of passengers are facing Christmas travel chaos as 90 flights from Heathrow Airport are cancelled and 200 more delayed amid weather warnings for strong wind
It comes as a yellow warning for wind came into place today from 7am until 9pm on Sunday covering the North West, the North East, Scotland and parts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday with 50-60mph gusts expected, with a small chance of some reaching 80mph.
Sunday will see the South West also under the yellow warning.
The Met Office said: ‘The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80mph in coastal districts including Orkney.
‘Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways.
‘This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.
‘Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and north west.’
Showers could turn to several centimetres of snow on the hills in the north west of Scotland from Saturday evening into Sunday.
