Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

800 flights cancelled at Heathrow

Tuesday 03 February 2009 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Across the country air passengers faced severe delays and disruption. At Heathrow nearly 800 flights were cancelled and others faced long delays after 11cm of snow fell at the airport. One landing aircraft skidded off a runway on to a grassed area, but there were no injuries.

Both of the airport's runways were temporarily closed before one later reopened. BAA said the airport was using many of its 58 snow ploughs, snow blowers and other specialist vehicles as it battled to reopen runways. Industry sources said most long-haul flights were able to land as they were given priority. But short-haul flights from Europe were among the first to be cancelled. Some were diverted to airports not affected.

Manchester airport accepted 13 flights from the South-east, and passengers from Milan, Krakow, Alicante and Dublin, heading to Bristol, were flown to Bournemouth, Exeter and Cardiff. About 200 Ryanair flights were cancelled, and all BA flights from Heathrow were cancelled until 5pm. Flights were also disrupted at Gatwick, Luton, Southampton, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle, while London City and Edinburgh airports closed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in