Dense fog across the United Kingdom caused significant travel disruptions on Friday, with major airports experiencing numerous flight cancellations and extensive delays. The adverse weather conditions forced air traffic control to implement restrictions, impacting thousands of passengers hoping to travel ahead of the New Year.
Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester, the nation's three busiest airports, bore the brunt of the disruption. Almost all scheduled departures were severely delayed, with some flights canceled altogether. Manchester Airport faced particularly severe issues, with many flights experiencing delays exceeding two hours. Passengers bound for destinations like Guernsey, Dublin, Munich, and Hurghada faced delays of over four hours.
Similar challenges were reported at both Gatwick and Heathrow, with passengers describing chaotic scenes as they waited for updates on their flights. The UK's air traffic control provider, Nats, confirmed that temporary restrictions were put in place to maintain safety amidst widespread fog, as a Met Office expert was embedded in their operation to closely monitor the situation.
Budget airline easyJet acknowledged the disruption to its flight schedule, attributing it to low visibility. The airline stated it was working to minimize the impact of the delays on its passengers, a sentiment echoed by airport authorities and other airlines affected by the fog.
Among those impacted, John Mitchell, 47, faced a particularly distressing situation as his flight from Gatwick to Aberdeen was delayed by more than three hours after the passing of his father. He expressed his devastation and concern about whether his delayed flight would take off before Aberdeen airport's late-night restrictions came into effect.
As the day progressed, the situation worsened, with an increasing number of flights canceled at Gatwick, Manchester, and Heathrow. Frustrated passengers reported "huge queues" and lack of communication while trying to collect their luggage. Several took to social media to vent their frustration with airlines and airport authorities, citing a "complete shambles" and lack of support. Airport officials have apologized for the inconveniences and urged passengers to contact their airlines for the most up-to-date information.
