A number of easyJet flights due to depart from Gatwick Airport this evening are “now unable to operate as planned”, the airline said.
It comes after the UK's main air traffic control provider, Nats, said temporary restrictions would continue on Sunday because of low visibility at airfields.
“Due to ongoing poor weather conditions resulting in air traffic control restrictions and delays at London Gatwick today, some flights this evening are now unable to operate as planned,” an easyJet spokesperson said. “We are doing all we can to minimise the impact of the weather for our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund for cancelled flights, as well as hotel accommodation and meals where required.
“We advise customers due to travel to and from London Gatwick today to check our Flight Tracker for the latest information on their flight. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our highest priority and while this is outside of our control, we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused by the weather.”
The disruption follows two days of delays and cancellations at the UK's busiest airports including Gatwick, Manchester and Heathrow. Tens of thousands of passengers saw their Christmas travel disrupted as thick fog descended on airports from London and Cardiff to Edinburgh and Teesside.
Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed throughout Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. And then on Saturday it was Gatwick that appeared to be worst affected. One person wrote on X: "Inside a plane in Malaga waiting for Gatwick to authorise our take off due to fog." Another said: "Three hour delay at Gatwick due to fog. I won’t be planning again to go on holiday after Christmas, I arrived at my destination at 3am and hope to rest."
While a further a person stated just after 12pm yesterday: "@TUIUK. Flight TOM4632 from Gatwick to Chambery has had passengers onboard since 0845. Still on tarmac due to a fault. Do you think you could provide sandwiches to the passengers?"
A London Gatwick spokesperson told The Mirror on Saturday: “Temporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place due to fog causing poor visibility. Some flights may be delayed throughout the day. London Gatwick apologises for any inconvenience. Passengers should contact their airline for further information.”
And on Sunday morning, a spokesman for Gatwick said temporary air traffic restrictions remained in place because of poor visibility caused by fog and warned that some flights may be delayed throughout the day. Some 769 flights are planned at the West Sussex airport on Sunday, making it the busiest day of the Christmas holiday period.
Passengers have been urged to contact their airlines for updated information. A Nats spokesman said: “While the weather conditions have improved, fog continues to affect some airports in London today. Temporary air traffic restrictions are therefore in place at airfields with low visibility to maintain safety. Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption but passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline.”
Patches of thick fog could reduce visibility to just 100 metres in some areas, the Met Office said. Among those affected by cancellations over the past few days were a couple who have been forced to prolong their Christmas visit to family on the Isle of Man by two days.
Kiera Quayle, from Colchester, Essex, was due to fly from Isle of Man Airport to Gatwick on Friday evening with her husband after visiting his family but their flight was delayed by three hours before finally being cancelled at around 10pm, with the next one not available until Sunday.
“Our five days has turned to seven, it looks like,” said Mrs Quayle, 30. “It’s frustrating and stressful but I overheard a few families who are now missing holidays and work who have it worse at this point.” Passengers on flights delayed for more than two hours may be entitled to assistance, including food and drink or overnight accommodation if necessary.