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Flights cancelled at city airport Flights cancelled in safety row
(about 2 hours later)
All Easyjet and XL Airways flights in and out of Bristol International Airport on Friday have been cancelled or diverted. More than 80 flights in and out of Bristol International Airport were cancelled or diverted on Friday in a row over runway safety.
Easyjet flights were affected after the budget airline raised concerns about skidding when landing in wet weather at the airport. Easyjet would not fly in or out after raising concerns about its planes skidding when landing in wet weather.
British Airways has also delayed two flights while runway moisture levels are measured. But Andrew Skipp, managing director of the airport, said the runway had been given a "clean bill of health" by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The airport said safety was paramount and it was reviewing the situation. He said safety was paramount and insisted the airport would remain open.
XL, who operate charter flights, said its flights would now be sent in and out of Cardiff airport. All Easyjet, Aer Lingus, XL Airways, Thomson and BA flights in and out of the airport were cancelled or diverted by late Friday afternoon.
Around 7,000 Easyjet passengers were affected, and 500 BA passengers were bussed elsewhere.
All BA Connect flights to and from the airport have also been cancelled over the weekend.
Easyjet spokesman Toby Nicol said safety was the company's first priority: "The airport has been laying a new runway and what they have not had a chance to do is cut grooves into the surface.
We are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding Easyjet spokesman Passengers' woesWe are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding Easyjet spokesman Passengers' woes
Ten planes were diverted to Cardiff Airport on 30 December after three planes took longer than normal to stop at Bristol, it has also emerged. "We have found that this is having an effect on braking distances on the runway in wet weather."
One pilot, speaking to BBC News anonymously, added: "It has been like this for six to eight weeks. In October, the airport announced a £17m resurfacing scheme scheduled to last five months.
Mr Skipp said: "We would never operate an unsafe runway. We invited the CAA down to make sure we were doing everything correctly and we were.
"We need to find out what Easyjet's concerns are and resolve them."
But one pilot, speaking to BBC News anonymously, said the situation at the airport had been known of for some time.
"I've landed in wet weather, put the brakes on and come to the bit that is being re-surfaced, and just skated across it - we actually speeded up. When it is wet, you have no grip.""I've landed in wet weather, put the brakes on and come to the bit that is being re-surfaced, and just skated across it - we actually speeded up. When it is wet, you have no grip."
Easyjet spokesman Toby Nicol said the company would not run flights from Bristol while the runway was wet, and was moving its operations to another airport. Ten planes were diverted to Cardiff Airport on 30 December after three aircraft took longer than normal to stop at Bristol, it has emerged.
"Any rain over the weekend will prevent flights from Bristol," he said. In December, a plane operated by Guernsey airline Aurigny, with 52 passengers on board, ended up on the safety zone at the end of the runway after landing at Bristol.
"Bristol airport has been laying a new runway and what they have not had a chance to do is cut grooves into the surface. And an Easyjet flight from Malaga has also recently strayed on to the safety area at Bristol while taxiing.
"We have found that this is having an effect on braking distances on the runway in wet weather. Easyjet says around two-thirds of its Bristol flights on Saturday will be running from Cardiff, with passengers advised to check in at Bristol before being bussed to Cardiff.
"The safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft is Easyjet's first priority and this decision has been taken following discussions with Bristol Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority.
Easyjet flights diverted to Cardiff on Friday EZY 448 Belfast - BristolEZY 452 Belfast - BristolEZY 569 Newcastle - BristolEZY 573 Newcastle - BristolEZY 572 Bristol - NewcastleTransfers from Cardiff to Bristol will be provided by Easyjet Latest flight informationEasyjet flights diverted to Cardiff on Friday EZY 448 Belfast - BristolEZY 452 Belfast - BristolEZY 569 Newcastle - BristolEZY 573 Newcastle - BristolEZY 572 Bristol - NewcastleTransfers from Cardiff to Bristol will be provided by Easyjet Latest flight information
"Customers are entitled to a refund of the fare paid or a free transfer on to another Easyjet flight within the next month." Customers are entitled to a refund or a free transfer on to another flight within the next month, the company has said.
A BA spokeswoman said it would not operate flights if the runway moisture levels were above a certain level. A BA spokeswoman has said it would not operate flights if the runway moisture levels were above a certain level.
Other carriers' flights are unaffected and KLM, Ryanair, Flybe, Aurigny and Aer Lingus have not cancelled any departures.
Ryanair said it had experienced no problems at the airport and was unaware of any concerns.
Bristol Airport's operations director, Paul Davies, said: "Easyjet's decision is based on a number of factors including information passed to the airline by the airport on the condition of the runway surface.Bristol Airport's operations director, Paul Davies, said: "Easyjet's decision is based on a number of factors including information passed to the airline by the airport on the condition of the runway surface.
"Their decision to temporarily suspend flights in wet conditions is based on operational conditions within which its aircraft can operate."Their decision to temporarily suspend flights in wet conditions is based on operational conditions within which its aircraft can operate.
"Information on the status of the runway is regularly passed to all airlines as part of the airport's standard operational procedures.""Information on the status of the runway is regularly passed to all airlines as part of the airport's standard operational procedures."
In December, a plane operated by Guernsey airline Aurigny with 52 passengers on board, ended up on the safety zone at the end of the runway after landing at Bristol. The Easyjet spokesman added: "The runway conditions are slick at present and we are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding."
Travellers are experiencing delays
And an Easyjet flight from Malaga has also recently strayed on to the safety area at Bristol while taxiing.
The Easyjet spokesman added: "The runway conditions are slick at present and we are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding.
"We are looking at the option of diverting some of our flights to Cardiff or Birmingham."
In October, the airport announced its £17m runway resurfacing plans, scheduled to last five months.
Customers due to fly with Easyjet have been advised to call the company on 08712 442366, or visit its website.
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