Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Bad weather forces UK airports to suspend flights

Bad weather forces UK airports to suspend flights

All flights have been suspended at Stansted Airport after it was forced to close its runway due to bad weather.
Heathrow and Gatwick also canceled or delayed flights after snow, ice and freezing fog swept the UK.

A yellow weather warning remained in place for Scotland, London and southwest England until Monday morning, with the disruption set to continue.

Trains have also been delayed and drivers warned to take care after several motorway accidents.

Stansted said on Sunday night its only runway was closed to allow for snow clearance due to weather conditions and all flights were suspended.

"Delays to flights were experienced earlier due to de-icing of aircraft which is a ground handler's responsibility and safety of aircraft and passengers is paramount," a spokesman added.

"Passengers are advised to check with their airline for current status of their flights."

The BBC has contacted the airport to ask when the runway will reopen.

James Love told the BBC he was stuck on a Loganair plane at Stansted for several hours which was unable to take off.

"The captain wanted to de-ice the wing," he said. "But by the time the ground crew had come over to do that and the plane was ready, the runway shut and we had to return to stand."

However, he said the crew had been great and made the "whole thing a lot better, or at least as good as can be for this kind of situation".

More than 50 flights were canceled at Heathrow on Sunday, after freezing fog resulted in air traffic control restrictions on the number of aircraft that could land and depart per hour.

The airport said it was keeping passengers safe and trying to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible.

"We encourage passengers to check their flight status with their airline for the latest information," a spokeswoman said.

British Airways, the Heathrow's biggest airline, said it had apologized to customers and was refunding or rebooking anyone whose flight had been canceled and providing refreshment and hotel vouchers where needed.

It said Heathrow was going to restrict flights in and out of the airport again on Monday, meaning more disruption.

Gatwick Airport temporarily closed one of its runways at 17:55 GMT on Sunday due to un-forecast snow and reopened it at 20:00 when conditions were safer.

A number of flights were delayed or canceled, while 28 others were also diverted to other airports during the closure.

"Every effort is being made to get these flights back to Gatwick tonight," a spokesman said.

"Freezing weather conditions are expected to continue this evening and may cause further disruption at the airport.

"Passengers traveling this evening and tomorrow are advised to check their flight status with the airline - and also local travel conditions - before departing for the airport."

A spokesperson for London Luton Airport warned that there could be disruption to flights and also advised passengers to allow extra time when traveling to the airport.

On Saturday, Manchester Airport closed both runways due to "heavy snowfall", with dozens of flights affected.

Some passengers complained on Sunday about a lack of information from airlines on the cancellations.

Others said they had been unable to get off planes due to the icy conditions.

Stansted and Gatwick were unable to say whether they would cancel flights on Monday.

Road and rail disruption

Heavy snowfall caused a series of traffic collisions on Sunday, as many drivers were faced with treacherous conditions.

In Shropshire, the M54 between junctions 3 and 2 was shut, while major congestion was also reported on the M5 slip road to the M6.

The southbound M5 in Gloucestershire was shut after a multi-vehicle crash between junctions 11A and 12 near Quedgeley, Highways England said.

Drivers in north-west England were also being advised to take care following accidents on other motorways including the M58, M62, M61.

National Highways has asked road users in the South East not to travel on Sunday evening due to heavy snow.

One stranded commuter on the M25 told BBC Radio 5 Live she had been stuck in traffic for hours.

"I've moved about 200 yards in four hours," said Nicole. "Although it says salt spreading, I'm pretty sure they haven't gritted this road because you can't see any road markings, there's cars skidding all over the place, lorries jack-knifing.

"It's just horrendous."

The AA advised motorists to adjust their driving to the freezing conditions on Monday morning.

"On a frosty morning, hazards like black ice can prove lethal if you don't adjust your speed and driving style in colder weather," said Sean Sidley of the AA.

He urged drivers to leave plenty of space behind other vehicles; allow extra time for journeys; pack winter essentials in the car such as warm, waterproof layers; and to take heed of warning lights in vehicles.

Trains across the West Midlands were also hit by delays.

The UK's Met Office has said its severe weather warning will be in place until 09:00 on Monday morning, warning of possible travel delays on roads, along with delayed or canceled rail and air travel.

Temperatures could drop as low as -15C (5F) in northeast Scotland overnight.

But the Met Office ended its weather warning for Northern Ireland, despite the cold weather leading to some sporting fixtures being cancelled.

It warned of the risks posed around open water following the rescue of four children now in critical condition after falling through ice on a lake near Birmingham.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×