Thick fog and low visibility threw a wrench into travel plans for many Britons this weekend, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Passengers flying to or from the UK faced flight delays and cancellations, adding stress to their holiday journeys.
Gatwick Airport in London, a major hub, warned passengers of potential delays throughout Saturday and apologized for the inconvenience. Flights on Friday already experienced delays of up to three hours due to the weather. On Saturday morning, at least 40 flights, mostly short trips to Europe, were delayed again.
Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, advised passengers to check with their airlines for any potential delays. Similar disruptions were reported at other UK airports, including Stansted and Manchester.
The culprit behind the travel woes? Fog patches so thick they could reduce visibility to a mere 100 meters in some areas, according to the UK’s Met Office. They advised travelers to allow extra time for their journeys and warned drivers to be extra cautious on the roads.
Kiera Quayle, visiting family on the Isle of Man for Christmas with her husband, was one of many caught in the travel snafu. Their return flight to London was delayed for hours before being cancelled altogether on Friday night.
Embed from Getty Images“It’s definitely frustrating and stressful,” Quayle said, “but I overheard a few families who are now missing holidays or work commitments, and that sounds even worse.”
Thankfully, the Met Office predicts conditions will improve on Sunday. However, Britain’s main air traffic control organization has advised that restrictions will remain in place for areas with low visibility.
This foggy episode serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of travel, especially during peak seasons. Hopefully, for those affected, the rest of their holiday or return home goes smoothly.
Feature Photo by Maria Tyutina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-gray-airplane-249581/
