Severe weather conditions, particularly strong winds, are wreaking havoc on holiday travel plans as over 100 flights were cancelled at Heathrow Airport this past weekend. The cancellations come during what is anticipated to be the busiest Christmas travel period yet for the airport, where millions are hoping to reach family and friends across the country.
On Saturday, 44 flights were cancelled, followed by at least another 69 cancellations on Sunday alone, as reported by The London Evening Standard. Along with significant flight disruptions, hundreds more were reportedly delayed.
Flights were grounded due to gusty winds reaching 70 to 75 mph, prompting officials at Heathrow to cancel operations to maintain safety. “A small number of flights have been cancelled today due to strong winds and airspace restrictions. This will help to maintain safety and allow the vast majority of passengers to travel as planned,” stated Heathrow spokesperson. “Extra colleagues are on hand to support people on their journeys, and we encourage passengers to check with their airlines for the latest information,”
Travel expert Simon Calder noted the importance of the cancellations, indicating it was significantly unusual for such high numbers to occur on the weekend before Christmas. Approximately 15,000 passengers could potentially be affected by these disruptions, particularly as around 80 of the 100 cancelled flights were operated by British Airways.
British Airways also experienced disruptions, offering free flight changes for customers booked on short-haul services who may not wish to travel due to the weather. A spokesperson from the airline confirmed, “Adverse weather conditions and restrictions on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow have led to some cancellations”. They reassured travelers, saying rebooking and refund options remain available for impacted customers.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings indicating strong winds would persist until 9:00 PM GMT on Sunday, affecting various parts of the UK including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and several regions of England. Gusts of up to 70 mph were expected particularly along coastal and hilly areas, resulting not just in flight cancellations but widespread disruptions across other forms of transport as well.
Ferry services also sustained significant interruptions, especially between Northern Ireland and Scotland, as travel across the Irish Sea and the Scottish coast was almost entirely halted. P&O Ferries announced all journeys between Larne and Cairnryan would be cancelled until at least 8:00 PM on Sunday due to safety concerns related to the wind. Likewise, CalMac reported disruptions across 29 of its 30 routes.
On top of the airline and ferry cancellations, rail travel was likewise affected. ScotRail reported the implementation of speed restrictions on several routes, leading to delays and adjustments to timetable schedules.
Motoring experts highlighted the chaotic conditions on the roads as well, predicting heavy traffic due to the combination of holiday travel and bad weather. The RAC estimated around 7 million leisure trips would be made on major roads this weekend, likely causing congestion on key routes.
With projections indicating 21.3 million drivers hitting the road on Sunday, the AA cautioned about the potential for severe delays due to the dual strain of weather-related issues and holiday traffic. A spokesperson advised, “Allow yourself plenty of time to travel and maintain safe distance between vehicles.”
The situation highlights broader patterns of disruption faced during peak travel times, with the Christmas season often leading to increased volumes of passengers across all transport methods. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, forecasts suggest milder conditions and improved travel conditions leading up to Christmas Day.
Nikki Berry from BBC Weather provided hope as she forecast winds would gradually ease throughout the afternoon and evening, predicting calmer weather for Monday as temperatures are expected to rise significantly to around double figures Celsius by Christmas Eve.
Despite this, it’s been reiterated to travelers the importance of staying updated on travel information. The combined factors of severe winds and the Christmas getaway make checking flights and transportation options beforehand imperative to avoid last-minute disruptions.
For those affected by the flight cancellations at Heathrow, officials urge all passengers to remain informed about any changes and to stay vigilant with travel plans as conditions can shift throughout the holiday period.
While many look forward to the festive season, the challenges posed by weather-related disruptions serve as warnings to others preparing for holiday travel, emphasizing the need for patience and preparedness during this busy time of year.
