Introduction
While many people find the holiday season to be a joyful and travel-oriented experience, for others it has evolved into a terrible chore. At several of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom, dense fog has interfered with operations; Gatwick and Heathrow have suffered most. Bad weather is causing cancellements, delays, and extended waiting times for passengers.
Impact on Flights
- Cancelled and Delayed Flights: Flight cancellals and extreme delays have resulted from thick fog. On planned departures, Gatwick and Heathrow have observed almost complete stop.
- Widespread Disruption: Manchester Airport has also recorded notable delays; most Friday flights are delayed by more than two hours.
Passenger Experiences
- Travelers have resorted to social media to vent their frustrations:
- One customer tweeted on waiting endlessly at Tenerife Airport because of extreme fog in Gatwick.
- Another related their hardship of suffering a 6-hour flight delay followed by a 5.5-hour coach wait
- Many reported delays exceeding three hours, with some flights not departing before 4 PM.
Official Statements
- London Gatwick Spokesperson: “Temporary air traffic restrictions have been placed in place owing to fog producing poor visibility. Some flights may be delayed throughout the day. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
- Manchester Airport Spokesperson: Although there are limitations, they have so far claimed only minor disturbance.
- NATS (Air Traffic Control): “Temporary air traffic restrictions are necessary to protect safety despite extensive fog. We are actively monitoring the situation in coordination with airports and airlines.”
Weather Update
- Met Office Warnings:
- Expected to be persistent are dense fog patches, with possibly limited visibility down to 100 metres.
- The South East and central England are covered in fog; Saturday will show residual patches.
- Meteorologist Comment: Liam Eslick noted, “It’s a murky start to the weekend, particularly in areas experiencing high traffic during the holiday season.”
The thick fog upsetting planes at Gatwick and Heathrow highlights the erratic difficulties of winter travel. Although delays and cancellations irritate passengers, safety always comes first. Passengers are reminded to be patient and keep informed through official sources.