UK: Fcst Highs/Lows (24 hr)
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The freezing weather conditions across the UK have continued to cause widespread transport disruption with hundreds of flights cancelled and delays expected at many airports as weather forecasters warn that the icy weather is expected to last well into next week.
Over 400 flights had to be cancelled at Gatwick yesterday due to continuing snow showers in the South East.
On social networking website Twitter, members of the public were calling Gatwick Hell on earth after delays and cancellations forced hundreds of people to sleep at the airport terminal overnight.
Passengers settle down for the night at London's Gatwick Airport where flights were suspended after snow blocked the runway
The airport has now reopened but is warning passengers to expect severe disruption to both inbound and outbound flights.
easyJet has cancelled 70 flights and British Airways has also had to ground many of its services from the Surrey Airport.
An easyJet spokesman claimed this afternoon that, contrary to media reports, Gatwick Airport is not fully open for business.
He said: "In fact, only a small number of flights are being allowed to depart each hour and there are currently no arrivals due to restrictions imposed by the airport and air traffic control. This is exacerbating the weather disruption many airlines are currently facing."
Paul Simmons, easyJet UK General Manager said: Safety is the number one priority, but easyJet is disappointed that the UKs second largest airport is operating a small percentage of its capacity and is still unable to confirm when it will be fully operational, thus enabling the airline to return to normal operations.
"easyJet continues to provide every possible support for its passengers who have been affected by the ongoing disruption at Gatwick."
Speaking to Travelmail, Michael Johnson, spokesman for BA said: Our flights at Gatwick have been particularly hard hit and we are experiencing some delays due to icy conditions this morning.
We are trying to operate as close as possible to a normal schedule when we can and customers with cancelled flights can re-book on alternative flights or apply for a refund.
British Airways cancelled a number of flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, while budget carrier easyJet axed 34 services.
Broken-down trains added to the problems of rail commuters who were already facing restricted services on many lines.
Hazard: Drivers face dangerous conditions on the A28 near Ashford in Kent, as snowy conditions continue across the country
And on the roads, a series of accidents caused jams on some major routes.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said there might be some 'difficult decisions' to be taken about which roads would continue to be salted.
He said more salt supplies have been ordered from abroad but it would 'take a little time' for them to arrive.
Major airports remained open today, but passengers were warned to expect delays.
Heathrow is open but its website said 'passengers should only travel to the airport if they have confirmed with their airline that their flight is operating.'
It advised that there would be more delays and cancellations.
British Airways said that overnight it had asked passengers on some flights arriving at Heathrow's Terminal 5 (T5) to leave the airport without waiting for their luggage, with the bags being sent on to them later.
A BA spokesman said: 'The knock-on effect of flight delays plus icy conditions led to some bag problems but everyone is now able to pick up their luggage when they arrive on flights at T5.'
Thousands of BA travellers' bags were misplaced during the catastrophic opening days of the £4.3 billion T5 in March 2008.
Between 7.30am and 9.30pm today BA had to cancel more than 20 incoming flights at Heathrow and nine departing ones.
Delays and cancellations: A plane negotiates a snowy runway at London's Heathrow airport
Most of the axed services were short-haul flights, but the cancelled departing services included flights to the U.S. cities of Houston and Newark.
Gatwick Airport said it was open but there was disruption to flight arrivals and delays to departures with some airlines running a restricted service.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson at Stansted said: 'Everything's absolutely fine - we're operating as normal with no delays or cancellations.'
She added that the airport was not anticipating any problems over the weekend, dependent on the weather.
Luton Airport said it was 'fully open'.
A spokesperson said: 'Everything's running normally. We haven't had any cancellations but a handful of minor delays. The trains into the airport [Luton Parkway] are subject to delay or reduced service.'
Passengers were advised to check with their airline before travelling.
The Met Office has forecast 'icy conditions and severe frosts' through the weekend with more chances of snow.
Chief Forecaster Richard Young said: 'Temperatures will struggle to rise above freezing across most of the country by day, with severe and penetrating frosts at night.
'Strong east to north-easterly winds will pick up across many areas later Friday, making it feel bitterly cold. Drifting snow will become an additional hazard over the weekend.'
On the railways, Channel Tunnel high-speed company Eurostar was running a restricted service.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1241294/UK-weather-forecast-Latest-travel-advice-travellers-heading-airports.html#ixzz0c5CmTRZ4