Heathrow Airport: Flight cancellations strand over 12,000 passengers, here's how it could affect you

Over 12,000 passengers will be affected by the cancellation of approximately 80 flights with British Airways alone this morning at Heathrow Airport due to freezing fog.

Freezing fog causes travel chaos

Freezing fog causes delays at airports especially as it forms a layer of thin ice on aeroplanes which will need to be de-iced.

On Sunday evening 22 January, airlines were told they would have to reduce the number of flights operating by approximately 15% as a result of weather and Air Traffic Control restrictions. Consequently, services on Sunday night were also affected.

Destinations impacted by the cancellations include Berlin, Amsterdam and Miami.

This morning, Monday 23 January, temperatures were as low as -6C with poor visibility. The Met Office has placed a yellow weather warning for fog until 11:00 GMT on Monday for parts of southern and eastern England.

A Heathrow spokesperson said poor visibility was also forecast at the airport:

While there may be minor changes to [Monday's] schedule as a result of the weather, we want to reassure passengers that our colleagues are working in close collaboration with our airline and air traffic control partners to get them safely away on their journeys as quickly as possible.

British Airways said in a statement it had 'apologised to customers whose flights have been affected' and it was 'doing everything we can to get them on their way as quickly as possible'. It recommends customers check its website before making their way to the airport.

Travel warnings and advice issued

It comes as the UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia due to reasons ranging from strike action to a recent terrorist attack. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also issued safety and security warnings this month to those wanting to travel to one of the four countries.

Between January 6 and January 18, the FCDO made updates to travel advice for Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia as situations including military activity, political demonstrations and an erupting volcano have increased the risks for tourists.

Turkey

Travellers have been advised not to travel to the Eastern province of Hakkari - or to 'take extra care' if you must make an essential journey to this region as Mount Ararat, in Ağrı province, is a special military zone.

France

Travellers have been advised of potential travel disruption due to strike action over the French government's plans to raise the retirement age. The UK Foreign Office warns tourists to avoid demonstrations 'wherever possible.'

Egypt

Travellers have been warned against visiting a number of provinces in the north of Egypt after a terrorist attack to the west of the Suez Canal in late December. FCDO warns there is still a risk of terrorist attacks across the country.

Indonesia

On January 7, the Mount Marapi volcano erupted in the west Sumatra region of Indonesia. Tourists and locals are not allowed in the area and within 3km of the crater. If you’re in the exclusion zone, you should leave immediately. It is recommended that tourists visiting the country remain vigilant.

Sources used:

- BBC: 'Heathrow Airport: Dozens of flights cancelled due to freezing fog'

- MyLondon: 'Heathrow and Gatwick: Turkey, France, Egypt and Indonesia travel advice and warnings issued after terrorist attack, volcano eruption and strikes'