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Version 8 Version 9
Safety row disrupts ten airlines Safety row disrupts ten airlines
(about 1 hour later)
Ten air operators have either cancelled or diverted flights from Bristol Airport as a row over runway safety continues. Ten air operators have either cancelled or diverted flights from Bristol Airport in a row over runway safety.
Easyjet withdrew its planes on Friday over concerns its planes skid when landing in wet weather. Thousands of passengers have been affected, with a total of 98 flights diverted and 28 cancelled, after claims aircraft had skidded on landing.
Airport bosses have insisted the runway has a "clean bill of health" from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it 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.
Flights are being diverted to Cardiff or are flying from Birmingham. Flights are being diverted to Cardiff, Gatwick and Birmingham airports.
A total of 98 flights are being diverted while 28 flights have been cancelled.
The affected airlines are: Easyjet, BA Connect, XL, Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, Balkan Airlines, First Choice, Air Malta, KLM and SN Brussels.The affected airlines are: Easyjet, BA Connect, XL, Thomsonfly, Thomas Cook, Balkan Airlines, First Choice, Air Malta, KLM and SN Brussels.
Easyjet withdrew its planes on Friday over concerns its planes skid when landing in wet weather.
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.
We're working very very closely with our engineering team... to make sure that we can bring services back to normal Tony Horwood, Bristol AirportWe're working very very closely with our engineering team... to make sure that we can bring services back to normal Tony Horwood, Bristol Airport
All First Choice and some Thomas Cook flights have been moved to Birmingham Airport. Other Thomas Cook flights are being diverted to Gatwick Airport.All First Choice and some Thomas Cook flights have been moved to Birmingham Airport. Other Thomas Cook flights are being diverted to Gatwick Airport.
A spokeswoman for Easyjet said: "We are operating 60% of the Bristol operation out of Cardiff but we are suffering delays of around three hours because passengers need to check in at Bristol first.A spokeswoman for Easyjet said: "We are operating 60% of the Bristol operation out of Cardiff but we are suffering delays of around three hours because passengers need to check in at Bristol first.
"We need to get the message out that travellers need to check in at Bristol first of all because people are turning up at Cardiff directly.""We need to get the message out that travellers need to check in at Bristol first of all because people are turning up at Cardiff directly."
Peter Philips, spokesman for Cardiff Airport, described the scene at the airport as like a "busy summer's day" and said diverted flights were being delayed by just over an hour on average.Peter Philips, spokesman for Cardiff Airport, described the scene at the airport as like a "busy summer's day" and said diverted flights were being delayed by just over an hour on average.
Around 7,000 extra passengers were due to use the airport on Saturday and Mr Phillips said he expected the arrangements to remain in place until Monday at least.Around 7,000 extra passengers were due to use the airport on Saturday and Mr Phillips said he expected the arrangements to remain in place until Monday at least.
Easyjet say a decision on Monday's flights has not yet been made.Easyjet say a decision on Monday's flights has not yet been made.
The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.
Tony Hallwood, the airport's Aviation Development Director, said: "Over the past 24 hours we have been working with our airline partners to find an acceptable way forward.Tony Hallwood, the airport's Aviation Development Director, said: "Over the past 24 hours we have been working with our airline partners to find an acceptable way forward.
"We wish to reassure passengers that every effort is being made to ensure to that a normal service is resumed at Bristol International as soon as possible.""We wish to reassure passengers that every effort is being made to ensure to that a normal service is resumed at Bristol International as soon as possible."
'Runway grooved''Runway grooved'
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.
Mr Hallwood 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."Mr Hallwood 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."
Shaun Robinson, from Thomas Cook, told BBC News 24 the CAA cannot give out the information pilots need to land safely because the airport cannot supply them with reports on braking.Shaun Robinson, from Thomas Cook, told BBC News 24 the CAA cannot give out the information pilots need to land safely because the airport cannot supply them with reports on braking.
He added that none of his pilots had reported problems with landing.He added that none of his pilots had reported problems with landing.
Astreus, Aer Arran, Ryanair, Air South West, Aurigny, Continental and Flybe are still flying from the airport.Astreus, Aer Arran, Ryanair, Air South West, Aurigny, Continental and Flybe are still flying from the airport.
Peter O'Donovan from Aurigny, said they were still flying as they use smaller aircraft which do not need such a long landing strip.Peter O'Donovan from Aurigny, said they were still flying as they use smaller aircraft which do not need such a long landing strip.

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