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Fog delays hit holiday travellers Fog delays hit holiday travellers
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of air passengers are facing delays to their Christmas getaway, with fog forcing more than 120 flights from London airports to be cancelled.Hundreds of air passengers are facing delays to their Christmas getaway, with fog forcing more than 120 flights from London airports to be cancelled.
Some 88 outbound flights from Heathrow, 25 from Gatwick, and 17 from City Airport have been grounded.Some 88 outbound flights from Heathrow, 25 from Gatwick, and 17 from City Airport have been grounded.
Airlines said customers were being offered alternative flights or refunds.Airlines said customers were being offered alternative flights or refunds.
Fog has also affected parts of the M6, the M40 and M1 motorways. The BBC Weather Centre said visibility had dropped to 50m (164ft) in places.Fog has also affected parts of the M6, the M40 and M1 motorways. The BBC Weather Centre said visibility had dropped to 50m (164ft) in places.
However, forecasters expected the fog to clear in the early hours of Monday - giving way to milder, wetter weather - and they said rain was likely across the UK on Christmas Eve.However, forecasters expected the fog to clear in the early hours of Monday - giving way to milder, wetter weather - and they said rain was likely across the UK on Christmas Eve.
Check with airlinesCheck with airlines
Of the 88 flights cancelled at Heathrow, 42 are short-haul flights from Terminal 1, 25 European short haul from Terminal 2, 20 short and long haul from Terminal 4 and one long-haul flight from Terminal 3.Of the 88 flights cancelled at Heathrow, 42 are short-haul flights from Terminal 1, 25 European short haul from Terminal 2, 20 short and long haul from Terminal 4 and one long-haul flight from Terminal 3.
Destinations include Edinburgh, Dublin, Milan and Rome.Destinations include Edinburgh, Dublin, Milan and Rome.
At Gatwick, 15 short-haul flights have been cancelled - 10 are British Airways flights and five Easyjet. The flights were bound for Amsterdam, Manchester, Newquay and Jersey.At Gatwick, 15 short-haul flights have been cancelled - 10 are British Airways flights and five Easyjet. The flights were bound for Amsterdam, Manchester, Newquay and Jersey.
Dozens of inbound journeys to the UK have also been affected by the weather, with some flights cancelled and others diverted to alternative airports.Dozens of inbound journeys to the UK have also been affected by the weather, with some flights cancelled and others diverted to alternative airports.
HAVE YOUR SAY Every year it is the same story. Cancelled flights, traffic jams, stranded at airports and train stations Brenda Lyall, Aberdeen Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Every year it is the same story. Cancelled flights, traffic jams, stranded at airports and train stations Brenda Lyall, Aberdeen Send us your comments
On an average day, a total of 1,250 flights arrive and depart from Heathrow.On an average day, a total of 1,250 flights arrive and depart from Heathrow.
A spokesman said that 181,000 passengers were expected in Heathrow's terminals on Sunday, slightly fewer than Saturday when 214,000 passed through.A spokesman said that 181,000 passengers were expected in Heathrow's terminals on Sunday, slightly fewer than Saturday when 214,000 passed through.
Passengers are being advised to check with their airline for further information before travelling.Passengers are being advised to check with their airline for further information before travelling.
British Airways said all its customers facing cancellations would be refunded or offered the chance to re-book their flight on other available services.British Airways said all its customers facing cancellations would be refunded or offered the chance to re-book their flight on other available services.
A spokesman for Easyjet said the company had also only cancelled flights where there had been alternative options for passengers.A spokesman for Easyjet said the company had also only cancelled flights where there had been alternative options for passengers.
"Because the fog caused just a reduction in capacity, we had reasonable amount of flexibility to choose which flights to cancel," he said."Because the fog caused just a reduction in capacity, we had reasonable amount of flexibility to choose which flights to cancel," he said.
"Those passengers have been re-booked on flights going today and tomorrow. No-one is going to be left behind.""Those passengers have been re-booked on flights going today and tomorrow. No-one is going to be left behind."
Sam Cooper, in London, told the BBC she was waiting for her partner to arrive from Edinburgh after his flight to Gatwick was cancelled and then rescheduled to Stansted.
"Fog is something we cannot control, let's be grateful for the staff helping everybody at this very busy time," she said.
Rail optionsRail options
Virgin Rail said there was still room on the company's pre-Christmas services for stranded air travellers.Virgin Rail said there was still room on the company's pre-Christmas services for stranded air travellers.
A company spokesman added: "Our trains are running normally and there are still seats available. We'll do everything we can to help."A company spokesman added: "Our trains are running normally and there are still seats available. We'll do everything we can to help."
Stansted and Southampton airports - hit by fog in previous days - both said they were operating a normal service.Stansted and Southampton airports - hit by fog in previous days - both said they were operating a normal service.
On the roads, fog delayed traffic on the M6 and the M40 motorways.On the roads, fog delayed traffic on the M6 and the M40 motorways.
Trafficmaster said the east Midlands, the north of England and Scotland were particularly badly affected.Trafficmaster said the east Midlands, the north of England and Scotland were particularly badly affected.
Problems were also reported on the M1, M62, M60, M25 and the M5.Problems were also reported on the M1, M62, M60, M25 and the M5.
Engineering worksEngineering works
Motorists travelling from Sussex into Surrey on the northbound stretch of the M23 faced disruption following two accidents - one south of Gatwick Airport and another south of the junction for the M25, near Redhill.Motorists travelling from Sussex into Surrey on the northbound stretch of the M23 faced disruption following two accidents - one south of Gatwick Airport and another south of the junction for the M25, near Redhill.
Meanwhile in Northamptonshire, two crashes - one on the A14 at the junction with the M1 and another at the A421 at Evenley near Brackley - also caused long delays.Meanwhile in Northamptonshire, two crashes - one on the A14 at the junction with the M1 and another at the A421 at Evenley near Brackley - also caused long delays.
The busiest days on the roads after Friday's mass getaway are expected to be 27 and 28 December.The busiest days on the roads after Friday's mass getaway are expected to be 27 and 28 December.
Rail travellers could yet face problems over the festive period because the West Coast Mainline is partially closing at Rugby for five days from 27 December.Rail travellers could yet face problems over the festive period because the West Coast Mainline is partially closing at Rugby for five days from 27 December.
Passengers are being advised to take alternative routes, such as the National Express East Coast, the Transpennine Express or Chiltern Trains into London Marylebone.Passengers are being advised to take alternative routes, such as the National Express East Coast, the Transpennine Express or Chiltern Trains into London Marylebone.


Have your travel plans been affected by the weather? Send us your comments by filling out the form belowHave your travel plans been affected by the weather? Send us your comments by filling out the form below
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