UK
More flights disrupted by thick fog on Gatwick’s busiest day of Christmas holiday period
Thick fog could delay more flights across England today, disrupting Gatwick Airport’s busiest day of the holiday period.
The UK’s main air traffic control provider, Nats, said temporary restrictions will continue on Sunday because of low visibility in airfields.
Gatwick confirmed to Sky News that flights may still be delayed and advised passengers to contact their airline for further information.
The continued disruption follows two days of delays and cancellations at the UK’s busiest airports.
Tens of thousands of passengers saw their Christmas travel disrupted as thick fog descended on airports from London and Cardiff to Edinburgh and Teesside
Patches of thick fog could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas, the Met Office said.
Foggy conditions on the M62 near Saddleworth Moor on Saturday. Pic: PA
Kiera Quayle and her husband are still stuck on the Isle of Man after visiting his family for Christmas.
On Friday night, their Easyjet flight back was delayed and then cancelled due to Gatwick’s fog.
Their new flight isn’t scheduled to get them back to Gatwick until 5pm on Sunday.
“We’re lucky that we have family we can stay with, but it has been difficult organising travel and where we are staying,” she told Sky News.
“Luckily for us our neighbour has agreed to look after our cat for a few extra days, and we can swallow the extra car park charge at Gatwick,” she said.
People walk over a foot bridge in foggy conditions near Saddleworth Moor on Saturday. Pic: PA
The weather is expected to brighten around the UK later on Sunday, according to the Met Office, ahead of a blast of snow and rain towards New Year’s Eve.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and rain in Scotland next week, warning that heavy downpours may bring “significant disruption” in the build-up to Hogmanay.
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A yellow weather warning for wind has also been issued for northern England on Monday – with gusts of up to 60mph possible.
The warning is in place from 11am to 6pm and covers areas including Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.