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Safety row disrupts more flights Safety row disrupts more flights
(30 minutes later)
More Easyjet flights in and out of Bristol Airport have been cancelled as a row over runway safety continues. All Easyjet and Thomas Cook flights in and out of Bristol Airport have been cancelled over runway safety concerns.
The firm withdrew all of its planes for a second day after raising concerns about its planes skidding when landing in wet weather at the airport. Easyjet withdrew its planes for a second day over concerns its planes skid when landing in wet weather.
Airport bosses have insisted the runway has a "clean bill of health" from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the runway will remain open. Airport bosses have insisted the runway has a "clean bill of health" from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it will remain open.
Some Easyjet passengers are being diverted to Cardiff and Thomas Cook services are flying from Birmingham.
The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.
Passengers on nearly 40 Easyjet flights on Saturday are being transferred to Cardiff airport, while all the other services by the firm have been cancelled.Passengers on nearly 40 Easyjet flights on Saturday are being transferred to Cardiff airport, while all the other services by the firm have been cancelled.
All Thomas Cook flights have been moved to Birmingham Airport. Passengers are advised to check-in at Bristol as normal, where they will then be transferred to Birmingham.
We're working very very closely with our engineering team...to make sure that we can bring services back to normal Tony Horwood, Bristol Airport
In a statement, Easyjet said: "The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is the top priority at Easyjet and these decisions have been taken following extensive discussions with the Bristol International Airport and the UK Civil Aviation Authority."In a statement, Easyjet said: "The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is the top priority at Easyjet and these decisions have been taken following extensive discussions with the Bristol International Airport and the UK Civil Aviation Authority."
We're working very very closely with our engineering team...to make sure that we can bring services back to normal Tony Horwood, Bristol Airport Passengers' woes
On Friday afternoon all Easyjet, Aer Lingus, XL Airways, Thomson and BA flights in and out of the airport were cancelled or diverted.On Friday afternoon all Easyjet, Aer Lingus, XL Airways, Thomson and BA flights in and out of the airport were cancelled or diverted.
Around 7,000 Easyjet passengers were affected, and 500 BA passengers were bussed elsewhere.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.All BA Connect flights to and from the airport have also been cancelled over the weekend.
But Andrew Skipp, managing director of the airport, said safety was paramount.But Andrew Skipp, managing director of the airport, said safety was paramount.
On Friday, 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.On Friday, 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.
"It is the airlines' decision whether or not they choose to fly. We need to find out what Easyjet's concerns are and resolve them.""It is the airlines' decision whether or not they choose to fly. We need to find out what Easyjet's concerns are and resolve them."
Easyjet said it is concerned grooves have not been cut in to the new surface of the runway, which has affected braking distances of planes.Easyjet said it is concerned grooves have not been cut in to the new surface of the runway, which has affected braking distances of planes.
'Runway grooved''Runway grooved'
One pilot, speaking to BBC News anonymously, said the situation at the airport had been known of for some time.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."
A number of planes were diverted to Cardiff at the end of 2006 after three aircraft took longer to stop than normal, it emerged.A number of planes were diverted to Cardiff at the end of 2006 after three aircraft took longer to stop than normal, it emerged.
But Tony Horwood, from the airport, told BBC Five Live they are working to make the runway acceptable for the airlines.But Tony Horwood, from the airport, told BBC Five Live they are working to make the runway acceptable for the airlines.
"The runway is presently grooved, there are just certain areas where we need to maybe look at enhancing that grooving and we're working very very closely with our engineering team and the contractors on site to make sure that we can bring services back to normal," he said."The runway is presently grooved, there are just certain areas where we need to maybe look at enhancing that grooving and we're working very very closely with our engineering team and the contractors on site to make sure that we can bring services back to normal," he said.

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