This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bristol/6233487.stm
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Flights cancelled at city airport | Flights cancelled at city airport |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| All Easyjet and XL Airways flights in and out of Bristol International Airport on Friday have been cancelled or diverted. | All Easyjet and XL Airways flights in and out of Bristol International Airport on Friday have been cancelled or diverted. |
| Easyjet flights were affected after the budget airline raised concerns about skidding when landing in wet weather at the airport. | Easyjet flights were affected after the budget airline raised concerns about skidding when landing in wet weather at the airport. |
| British Airways has also delayed two flights while runway moisture levels are measured. | British Airways has also delayed two flights while runway moisture levels are measured. |
| The airport said safety was paramount and it was reviewing the situation. | The airport said safety was paramount and it was reviewing the situation. |
| XL, who operate charter flights, said its flights would now be sent in and out of Cardiff airport. | XL, who operate charter flights, said its flights would now be sent in and out of Cardiff airport. |
| We are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding Easyjet spokesman Passengers' woes | We are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding Easyjet spokesman Passengers' woes |
| Ten planes were diverted to Cardiff Airport on 30 December after three planes took longer than normal to stop at Bristol, it has also emerged. | Ten planes were diverted to Cardiff Airport on 30 December after three planes took longer than normal to stop at Bristol, it has also emerged. |
| One pilot, speaking to BBC News anonymously, added: "It has been like this for six to eight weeks. | One pilot, speaking to BBC News anonymously, added: "It has been like this for six to eight weeks. |
| "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." |
| Easyjet spokesman Toby Nicol said the company would not run flights from Bristol while the runway was wet, and was moving its operations to another airport. | Easyjet spokesman Toby Nicol said the company would not run flights from Bristol while the runway was wet, and was moving its operations to another airport. |
| "Any rain over the weekend will prevent flights from Bristol," he said. | "Any rain over the weekend will prevent flights from Bristol," he said. |
| "Bristol airport has been laying a new runway and what they have not had a chance to do is cut grooves into the surface. | "Bristol airport has been laying a new runway and what they have not had a chance to do is cut grooves into the surface. |
| "We have found that this is having an effect on braking distances on the runway in wet weather. | "We have found that this is having an effect on braking distances on the runway in wet weather. |
| "The safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft is Easyjet's first priority and this decision has been taken following discussions with Bristol Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority. | "The safety of its passengers, crew and aircraft is Easyjet's first priority and this decision has been taken following discussions with Bristol Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority. |
| Easyjet flights diverted to Cardiff on Friday EZY 448 Belfast - BristolEZY 452 Belfast - BristolEZY 569 Newcastle - BristolEZY 573 Newcastle - BristolEZY 572 Bristol - NewcastleTransfers from Cardiff to Bristol will be provided by Easyjet href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/travel/live_travel_bristol_international_airport_feature.shtml" class="">Latest flight information | |
| "Customers are entitled to a refund of the fare paid or a free transfer on to another Easyjet flight within the next month." | "Customers are entitled to a refund of the fare paid or a free transfer on to another Easyjet flight within the next month." |
| A BA spokeswoman said it would not operate flights if the runway moisture levels were above a certain level. | A BA spokeswoman said it would not operate flights if the runway moisture levels were above a certain level. |
| Other carriers' flights are unaffected and KLM, Ryanair, Flybe, Aurigny and Aer Lingus have not cancelled any departures. | Other carriers' flights are unaffected and KLM, Ryanair, Flybe, Aurigny and Aer Lingus have not cancelled any departures. |
| Ryanair said it had experienced no problems at the airport and was unaware of any concerns. | Ryanair said it had experienced no problems at the airport and was unaware of any concerns. |
| Bristol Airport's operations director, Paul Davies, said: "Easyjet's decision is based on a number of factors including information passed to the airline by the airport on the condition of the runway surface. | Bristol Airport's operations director, Paul Davies, said: "Easyjet's decision is based on a number of factors including information passed to the airline by the airport on the condition of the runway surface. |
| "Their decision to temporarily suspend flights in wet conditions is based on operational conditions within which its aircraft can operate. | "Their decision to temporarily suspend flights in wet conditions is based on operational conditions within which its aircraft can operate. |
| "Information on the status of the runway is regularly passed to all airlines as part of the airport's standard operational procedures." | "Information on the status of the runway is regularly passed to all airlines as part of the airport's standard operational procedures." |
| In December, a plane operated by Guernsey airline Aurigny with 52 passengers on board, ended up on the safety zone at the end of the runway after landing at Bristol. | In December, a plane operated by Guernsey airline Aurigny with 52 passengers on board, ended up on the safety zone at the end of the runway after landing at Bristol. |
| Travellers are experiencing delays | |
| And an Easyjet flight from Malaga has also recently strayed on to the safety area at Bristol while taxiing. | And an Easyjet flight from Malaga has also recently strayed on to the safety area at Bristol while taxiing. |
| The Easyjet spokesman added: "The runway conditions are slick at present and we are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding. | The Easyjet spokesman added: "The runway conditions are slick at present and we are not confident we can land our aircraft in wet weather without skidding. |
| "We are looking at the option of diverting some of our flights to Cardiff or Birmingham." | "We are looking at the option of diverting some of our flights to Cardiff or Birmingham." |
| In October, the airport announced its £17m runway resurfacing plans, scheduled to last five months. | In October, the airport announced its £17m runway resurfacing plans, scheduled to last five months. |
| Customers due to fly with Easyjet have been advised to call the company on 08712 442366, or visit its website. | Customers due to fly with Easyjet have been advised to call the company on 08712 442366, or visit its website. |
Have you been affected by the closure of Bristol airport? Have bad weather conditions delayed your flight? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by the closure of Bristol airport? Have bad weather conditions delayed your flight? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |