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Air travel fog ordeal continues Air travel fog ordeal continues
(10 minutes later)
Dense fog is continuing to cause misery for Christmas holiday travellers at Heathrow and other UK airports.Dense fog is continuing to cause misery for Christmas holiday travellers at Heathrow and other UK airports.
Hundreds of domestic flights and some international flights are grounded.Hundreds of domestic flights and some international flights are grounded.
Heathrow has been the worst hit, with 40,000 people affected, and services from Gatwick, Manchester and Cardiff have also been disrupted.Heathrow has been the worst hit, with 40,000 people affected, and services from Gatwick, Manchester and Cardiff have also been disrupted.
Passengers said they were angry about a lack of information. Fog is forecast on Friday and BA says all domestic flights to and from Heathrow will be cancelled.Passengers said they were angry about a lack of information. Fog is forecast on Friday and BA says all domestic flights to and from Heathrow will be cancelled.
About 350 flights out of Heathrow have been cancelled on Thursday, a 40% reduction.About 350 flights out of Heathrow have been cancelled on Thursday, a 40% reduction.
BA CANCELLATIONS British Airways customers should contact 0800 727 800 to see if their flight is still operating Getaway travel at-a-glance BA CANCELLATIONS British Airways customers should contact 0800 727 800 or check the www.britishairways.com website to see if their flight is still operating Getaway travel at-a-glance
Napil Berry, 37, from Nottingham, said he had missed his sister's wedding in Stockholm.Napil Berry, 37, from Nottingham, said he had missed his sister's wedding in Stockholm.
Sitting outside the terminal concourse, he said: "I told my sister I'm not going to make it. She said: 'Try to come in time for Christmas.'Sitting outside the terminal concourse, he said: "I told my sister I'm not going to make it. She said: 'Try to come in time for Christmas.'
"I'm not angry with BA about it but I am angry and upset I missed my sister's wedding.""I'm not angry with BA about it but I am angry and upset I missed my sister's wedding."
The BBC's Lucy Rodgers in Heathrow said that by 1200 GMT the scene in Terminal One seemed to be calming after the morning chaos.The BBC's Lucy Rodgers in Heathrow said that by 1200 GMT the scene in Terminal One seemed to be calming after the morning chaos.
But in the marquee erected outside the terminal, people were still taking offers of blankets, food and warm drinks as they contemplated a long wait ahead.But in the marquee erected outside the terminal, people were still taking offers of blankets, food and warm drinks as they contemplated a long wait ahead.
The disruption will continue on Friday, with British Airways announcing it would be operating no domestic flights in and out of Heathrow and a reduced short-haul schedule because of the fog.The disruption will continue on Friday, with British Airways announcing it would be operating no domestic flights in and out of Heathrow and a reduced short-haul schedule because of the fog.
About 100 flights in total have already been cancelled.About 100 flights in total have already been cancelled.
Low visibilityLow visibility
All airlines' flights from Coventry and some from Cardiff have been cancelled and some BA flights from Scotland. Norwich has diverted flights.All airlines' flights from Coventry and some from Cardiff have been cancelled and some BA flights from Scotland. Norwich has diverted flights.
UK AIRPORT FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS Heathrow 350 estimatedGatwick 16Manchester 17Scottish airports 30 Flight delays 'could last days' Anger at Heathrow Millions in Christmas getaway UK AIRPORT FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS Heathrow 350 estimatedGatwick 16Manchester 17Scottish airports 30 Flight delays 'could last days' Anger at Heathrow Millions in Christmas getaway
BA said 184 flights, including European short-haul and domestic, had been cancelled at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester Airport and Cardiff.BA said 184 flights, including European short-haul and domestic, had been cancelled at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester Airport and Cardiff.
The airline said low visibility had caused air traffic control to place restrictions on flights landing and taking off.The airline said low visibility had caused air traffic control to place restrictions on flights landing and taking off.
Sean Tipton, from ABTA, told the BBC the airline would make a "value judgement" that it is less inconvenient to fly a day later to Glasgow than totally miss a holiday to Spain.Sean Tipton, from ABTA, told the BBC the airline would make a "value judgement" that it is less inconvenient to fly a day later to Glasgow than totally miss a holiday to Spain.
"The main issue for the airports and the airlines is to ensure that everybody gets away but in a situation like this you just have to make the best of a bad job unfortunately.""The main issue for the airports and the airlines is to ensure that everybody gets away but in a situation like this you just have to make the best of a bad job unfortunately."
HAVE YOUR SAY It's frustrating for passengers, but the airlines are doing this for a reason Pier Pistocchi, Haywards Heath Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY It's frustrating for passengers, but the airlines are doing this for a reason Pier Pistocchi, Haywards Heath Send us your comments
Many passengers on cancelled flights are choosing rail and a spokesman for the train operators said they were coping with the extra passengers.Many passengers on cancelled flights are choosing rail and a spokesman for the train operators said they were coping with the extra passengers.
The fog also caused delays for ferries docking at Pembroke port - with 160 passengers on Irish Ferries' Isle of Inishmore coming in 10 hours late on Wednesday.The fog also caused delays for ferries docking at Pembroke port - with 160 passengers on Irish Ferries' Isle of Inishmore coming in 10 hours late on Wednesday.
BBC weatherman Darren Bett said "right until Christmas and even beyond there's the risk of fog."BBC weatherman Darren Bett said "right until Christmas and even beyond there's the risk of fog."
WHY FOG AFFECTS FLIGHTS Spacing in air above Heathrow increased between planes from three miles to six milesThis means planes land less frequentlyRunway capacity reduced by 40%Domestic flights cancelled because rebooking or alternative travel easier BBC Travel pageWHY FOG AFFECTS FLIGHTS Spacing in air above Heathrow increased between planes from three miles to six milesThis means planes land less frequentlyRunway capacity reduced by 40%Domestic flights cancelled because rebooking or alternative travel easier BBC Travel page
Meanwhile, the RAC said "an estimated 18m people" were expected to be driving on Britain's roads over the next few days.Meanwhile, the RAC said "an estimated 18m people" were expected to be driving on Britain's roads over the next few days.
"Many who had thought they would leave today because the schools have broken-up early may now wait until Friday to see if the fog lifts so there will be the usual rush," a spokeswoman said."Many who had thought they would leave today because the schools have broken-up early may now wait until Friday to see if the fog lifts so there will be the usual rush," a spokeswoman said.
The Association of British Travel Agents said about three million people are set to go abroad over Christmas and New Year, with southern Spain, north Africa, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York among the top destinations.The Association of British Travel Agents said about three million people are set to go abroad over Christmas and New Year, with southern Spain, north Africa, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York among the top destinations.
The peak day for travel is expected to be Friday.The peak day for travel is expected to be Friday.
BAA estimates two million people will be leaving through its seven UK airports, while about 230,000 are set to travel across the Channel, and more than 125,000 are booked on Eurostar train services out of London's Waterloo station.BAA estimates two million people will be leaving through its seven UK airports, while about 230,000 are set to travel across the Channel, and more than 125,000 are booked on Eurostar train services out of London's Waterloo station.