Skybound Standstill: UK Flights Grounded by Dismal Visibility

Travelers at several of the nation’s busiest airports, including Gatwick and Manchester, are experiencing extensive delays due to mist.

The primary air traffic control entity in the UK, Nats, stated that the number of flights had been curtailed for safety purposes.

“Due to widespread mist, temporary air traffic limitations are enforced at multiple airports across the UK today,” Nats reported.

Numerous flights departing from Heathrow were also postponed or cancelled, however, a spokesperson for the airport, contacted by the BBC, did not specify if the disruptions were caused by the weather.

“Such restrictions are implemented solely to ensure safety,” Nats stated, adding that personnel were collaborating “closely with the airports and airlines to minimize disruption”.

Passengers are advised to verify the status of their flight with their airline and the airport, Nats highlighted.

Information from flight tracking platform Flightradar24 indicated that numerous outgoing flights were cancelled from airports throughout the UK, while several others faced delays.

Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff were some of the airports experiencing delays or cancellations.

Incoming flights were also impacted, as shown by Flightradar24 data.

Irem, 36, encountered a nearly seven-hour delay on her flight from Germany to the UK due to fog at Manchester Airport.

“We’ve commenced boarding [at Cologne Airport] but are crammed into a small area where we’re awaiting the bus. We’ve been standing for about an hour; it’s just been a bit of a disaster,” she expressed to the BBC.

“I’m from Cologne, so we spent a few days here over Christmas with my family. We are on the brink of having a postponed Christmas and New Year with my husband’s relatives in North Wales.

“That will be slightly delayed, but I guess we’re fortunate that we are still going to meet them tomorrow.”

National Highways, responsible for the UK’s motorways and major A-roads, noted that the foggy weather was not significantly affecting its network.

It reminded drivers to utilize dipped headlights, windshield wipers, and demisters while navigating through foggy conditions.

The continuous low cloud, haze, and fog have been sustained by a sluggish region of high pressure.

As the weekend progresses, that high will shift away, permitting the winds to gain strength. This will help stir the stagnant air and start to dissipate the fog.

Saturday will commence with extensive low cloud, haze, and fog—predominantly in England and Wales. Some of this is anticipated to gradually clear throughout the day, especially by the afternoon, with a few moments of sunshine expected.

By Sunday, conditions will appear significantly clearer with sunny intervals across much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Concurrently, heavy rainfall will develop across northern and western Scotland, but stronger winds will ensure that fog does not pose a major issue.