Ireland

Delays continue at Irish airports after heavy fog in UK

British Met Office issues another fog warning for Monday night, Tuesday morning

A British Airways plane on the ground at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, as dozens of flights have been cancelled at the airport due to thick fog. Photograph: PA
A British Airways plane on the ground at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, as dozens of flights have been cancelled at the airport due to thick fog. Photograph: PA
Aoife Carr
Mon Nov 02 2015 - 15:35

Passengers intending to fly to UK airports are continuing to experience delays this afternoon after thick fog caused several flights to be cancelled earlier on Monday.

A spokeswoman for Dublin Airport said that six flights into the London area were cancelled for Monday morning and advised intending passengers to contact their airline for updates.

The British Met Office issued a weather warning for more thick fog on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The warning, which comes into effect at 4pm and lasts until midday on Tuesday, says minor disruption to travel is likely because of poor visiblity.

Aircraft on the ground at Heathrow Airport. Photograph: PA
Aircraft on the ground at Heathrow Airport. Photograph: PA

A Ryanair flight to Manchester from Shannon had to divert to Glasgow because of the weather on Monday morning and a flight to Heathrow was delayed. Early flights to Manchester, London City and Heathrow airports have been cancelled from Belfast City Airport.

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After long delays on Sunday some passengers landed at Britain’s busiest airport in the early hours of the morning, but many hoping to take off today will be disappointed.

A spokeswoman for Heathrow airport said additional staff were available in the airport terminals to provide assistance for those attempting to travel on Monday.

“Once again we would like to apologise for the disruption.” Passengers are advised to check with their airline for updates.

“Those hoping to travel through Gatwick have also been advised to check ahead for any disruption. Some passengers told of their relief on reaching London after delays on Sunday, which also saw around 50 flights cancelled at Heathrow.

RTÉ radio presenter Seán O’Rourke was stranded in London on Monday morning and was unable to get back to present his Today with Seán O’Rourke programme. Claire Byrne stood in for him.

Sky News presenter Eamonn Holmes was another who fell victim to the fog. He was unable to make it to London in time for the Sunrise television news programme at 6am.

He tweeted on Sunday: “Not getting out of Belfast” after flights were cancelled and added that he had been unable to join his colleague on the show.

“How’s TheFog in Old London Town this Morning? Tell skysarahjane cos The Pea Souper stopped me being able to join her. No Flights,” he wrote on Monday. Early flights to Manchester, London City and Heathrow airports have been cancelled from Belfast City Airport.

Separately, two Aer Lingus flights to Malaga from Dublin and Cork on Sunday were forced to divert to Alicante after thunderstorms prevented them landing in Malaga.

EI586 carrying 118 passengers left Dublin at 5.10pm and EI186 carrying 156 passengers left Cork at 4pm.

A spokeswoman for the airline said passengers were taken onwards to Malaga on buses.

One bus, carrying 60 passengers, then experienced a technical problem which resulted in a delay of an hour.