Widespread fog across Europe has led to significant disruptions at several major airports, primarily affecting flight schedules due to safety measures. According to the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), temporary air traffic restrictions are now in place across multiple UK airports.
Gatwick and Manchester airports, the second and third busiest airports in the UK, have been among the hardest hit by these disruptions. Reporting from Flightradar24 indicates dozens of flights from these airports, along with Heathrow, have faced cancellations and delays. Many arriving flights have also been impacted, with travelers advised to check directly with their airlines for the status of their flights.
“Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports in the UK today,” stated a spokesperson from NATS. The organization is closely monitoring the situation with the MET Office, the UK's national weather service, to respond to the changing weather conditions.
Across the English Channel, Dutch airports have also been facing challenges due to reduced visibility. Nearly 60 flights were cancelled at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, as reported by their spokesperson. Rotterdam-La Haye Airport also reported seven flights cancelled both arriving and departing, making the situation frustrating for travelers. Flights scheduled from popular destinations like Ibiza, Lisbon, and Marrakech to Eindhoven were redirected to Schiphol, exacerbated by the disruptions.
“Several inbound flights had to be rerouted to Schiphol due to the weather conditions,” the airport’s spokesperson mentioned, highlighting the ripple effect across the region’s travel network.
With the KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) issuing a yellow alert for nearly all of the Netherlands, indicating potential hazards due to fog, the impact on travel is likely to continue. Brussels Airport has also reported delays attributed to the poor weather, shown to be another point of concern for those wishing to travel.
Travelers are encouraged to stay informed and keep checking their airline’s updates, as the situation remains fluid. The extensive disruptions underline the vulnerability of air travel to weather conditions, reiterate the importance of contingency plans for affected travelers, and merit close attention as the fog persists.
