Passengers at Gatwick Airport and other major UK travel hubs are facing significant disruptions as thick fog continues to blanket much of the country, resulting in numerous flight delays and cancellations.
On Friday, December 27, air traffic restrictions were implemented at Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester due to severely reduced visibility. National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK's primary air traffic control provider, confirmed the restrictions are only enforced to uphold safety during the adverse conditions. A spokesperson for NATS stated, "Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK. Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety."
The dense fog, described by Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick, could reduce visibility to just 100 metres overnight and was expected to persist through the weekend. Eslick noted, "It's ... time of year when people are travelling around the country ... There is a lot of fog covering much of England, mainly the South East and central England. It will be pretty murky on Saturday morning and there will still be fog patches.”
Given the challenging travel conditions, passengers have faced extensive delays, some lasting up to three hours. At Gatwick, one passenger expressed their frustration on social media, saying, "Returning home from a Christmas cruise ... Stuck at Tenerife Airport due to the severe fog at @Gatwick_Airport. Flight delayed indefinitely. Lots of angry passengers, but safety has to come first." Another noted similar experiences with delays at various airlines.
To provide more information, Gatwick Airport has faced numerous disruptions, with up to 54 flight delays reported on its departure boards. A spokesperson for the airport communicated, "Temporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place due to fog causing poor visibility. Some flights may be delayed throughout the day. London Gatwick apologises for any inconvenience. Passengers should contact their airline for information."
Alongside the impact at Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports also struggled with cancellations and delays on Friday, affecting approximately 20,000 passengers. Particularly hard-hit was Gatwick, where at least 48 departures and arrivals were grounded, leading to severe congestion for many travelers trying to get home after the Christmas holiday.
Despite the chaos, conditions are expected to improve gradually. Weather reports indicated the fog could start to clear on Saturday afternoon, supported by the emergence of stronger winds pushing through the murky conditions. Eslick shared, "Some stronger winds are forecast on Sunday which will pick up and turn over these cloudy and murky conditions to help clear the fog."
Yet, there remains uncertainty about the potential for returning fog later as we move closer to the new year. Travelers are advised to exercise caution whether they are on the roads or at the airports, as the weather remains unpredictable. The Met Office has not issued formal weather warnings for fog but continues to keep close surveillance on the situation.
A representative from the airport industry reassured passengers, stating, "Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimize disruption." They emphasized the necessity for patience from travelers during this busy period.
With the festive travel surge and high passenger volumes, the pressure to resolve these disruptions is palpable. By Saturday morning, the extent of the delays remained substantial, with airports still grappling with the fallout from Friday's weather challenges. Travelers hoping to resume their plans are encouraged to stay informed through their airlines and to remain flexible, providing room for adjustments as weather conditions evolve.
Overall, as fog continues to shroud the UK, the safety of travelers remains the top priority, with airlines and airport officials working vigorously to navigate the impacts of the current weather. Passengers are reminded to check for real-time updates before heading to the airport to avoid any unexpected delays.
