Manchester Airport issues update as fog causes travel chaos

The Met Office warned that thick fog patches could reduce visibility down to 100 metres overnight and today

A Ryanair plane shrouded in fog(Image: Sean Hansford)

Foggy weather conditions are causing disruption to flights across the UK on one of the busiest travel days of the festive calendar. Travellers have been warned to check the latest updates on their flights before travelling, with delays and cancellations announced at a number of airports as air traffic restrictions were imposed.

Thick fog arrived on Boxing Day and hasn’t let up since. Although there have been no significant delays reported at Liverpool John Lennon Airport as a result of the fog, Manchester Airport confirmed restrictions remain in place, reports the Manchester Evening News. London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports are reporting delays for some flights that may continue throughout the day.

In an update issued this morning, passengers heading to Manchester Airport were advised to check the latest updates on their flights before travelling. A spokesman for Manchester Airport said: “Air traffic controllers have kept a restriction in place this morning covering a number of UK airports including Manchester. At the moment though it’s not causing any disruption.”

A spokesperson for Nats, the UK’s main air traffic control provider, said on Friday: “Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK today. Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety.

“We continue to monitor the situation and have a Met Office expert embedded within our operation to ensure we have the latest available information. Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption.”

The Met Office warned that thick fog patches could reduce visibility down to 100 metres overnight and today, affecting post-Christmas travel plans. Met Office meteorologist Liam Eslick told PA: “There is a lot of fog covering much of England, mainly the South East and central England, but the rest of the country is seeing quite a bit of thick fog too.

“It will be pretty murky on Saturday morning and there will still be fog patches that will take a little longer to clear.” Murky conditions are expected to clear on Sunday.