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Bristol flight disruptions remain Airport moves to end runway row
(about 7 hours later)
Passengers are being warned to expect further flight disruptions caused by runway safety fears at Bristol Airport. Bristol Airport says it is taking action to try to end a dispute over runway safety, as air passengers face a third day of disruption.
Ten air operators have cancelled or diverted flights from the airport after claims aircraft had skidded on landing.Ten air operators have cancelled or diverted flights from the airport after claims aircraft had skidded on landing.
Drainage on the new runway surface is now being improved, the airport says.
Out of Sunday's flights, 43 will operate normally but 49 are due to be cancelled and 75 diverted to Birmingham and Cardiff, the airport said.Out of Sunday's flights, 43 will operate normally but 49 are due to be cancelled and 75 diverted to Birmingham and Cardiff, the airport said.
Airport bosses have insisted the runway has a "clean bill of health" from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). A number of airlines are continuing to use the runway, amid complaints of slippery conditions in wet weather.
On Saturday 98 flights were diverted and 28 were cancelled. 'Sincere apologies'
'Round of applause'
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.
On Saturday 98 flights were diverted and 28 were cancelled.
My little girl was clinging to my arm and my nephews in the seat behind were very frightened Passenger Sarah DavidMy little girl was clinging to my arm and my nephews in the seat behind were very frightened Passenger Sarah David
The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.The row developed after £17m of resurfacing work on the runway.
Bristol International Airport Managing Director, Andrew Skipp said he offered his "sincere apologies to the many thousands of travellers whose plans have been and are still being disrupted." Bristol International Airport said it had received assurances from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that the runway is still safe to use.
But managing Director, Andrew Skipp said he offered his "sincere apologies to the many thousands of travellers whose plans have been and are still being disrupted."
If tests prove successful, workers may cut further grooves into the surface of the runway where needed.
He continued: "We anticipate that if the current additional work on the runway is successful, it will allow EasyJet and other airlines to resume operations back at Bristol International early next week".He continued: "We anticipate that if the current additional work on the runway is successful, it will allow EasyJet and other airlines to resume operations back at Bristol International early next week".
Easyjet withdrew its planes on Friday amid concerns its planes skid when landing in wet weather. Braking distance
Easyjet withdrew its planes on Friday amid concerns its planes skid when landing in wet weather, affecting braking distances.
The firm said customers on cancelled flights are entitled to a refund of the fare or transfer onto another easyJet flight from a different airport.
But a number of BBC News website readers have said they are experiencing problems getting through to customer services on the phone.
On Saturday passengers on nearly 40 Easyjet flights were transferred to Cardiff airport, while all the other services by the firm were cancelled.On Saturday passengers on nearly 40 Easyjet flights were transferred to Cardiff airport, while all the other services by the firm were cancelled.
An Easyjet spokeswoman 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."
There have been several incidents at the airport recently
Passenger Sarah David was on board an Excel plane that landed at the airport on Wednesday on the way back from the Canary Islands.Passenger Sarah David was on board an Excel plane that landed at the airport on Wednesday on the way back from the Canary Islands.
She told the BBC the aircraft veered from side to side before it came to a stop.She told the BBC the aircraft veered from side to side before it came to a stop.
"My little girl was clinging to my arm and my nephews in the seat behind were very frightened and people weren't screaming - it wasn't the Titanic or anything like that - but you could see looking around that people's faces were very shocked at what was happening."My little girl was clinging to my arm and my nephews in the seat behind were very frightened and people weren't screaming - it wasn't the Titanic or anything like that - but you could see looking around that people's faces were very shocked at what was happening.
"When we finally came to a stop, people just erupted into a spontaneous round of applause.""When we finally came to a stop, people just erupted into a spontaneous round of applause."
Braking distance
An Easyjet spokeswoman 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."
Easyjet said a decision on Monday's flights had not yet been made.
It was concerned grooves had not been cut in to the new surface of the runway, which had in turn affected braking distances of planes.
An airport spokesman said: "If it is found to be successful, we will continue to groove each temporary section as we continue to resurface the rest of the runway.
There have been several incidents at the airport recently
"This could allow the progressive resumption of normal operations at Bristol International from Monday morning, and all future stages of the resurfacing would follow the same process."
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.
Shaun Robinson, from Thomas Cook, told the BBC 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 the BBC the CAA cannot give out the information pilots need to land safely because the airport cannot supply them with reports on braking.
He said none of his pilots had reported landing problems.He said none of his pilots had reported landing problems.
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 the airline still flying as they use smaller aircraft which do not need such a long landing strip.Peter O'Donovan, from Aurigny, said the airline still flying as they use smaller aircraft which do not need such a long landing strip.

Have you been affected by the disruption at Bristol airport? Have bad weather conditions delayed your flight? Send us your experiences using the form below.

Have you been affected by the disruption at Bristol airport? Have bad weather conditions delayed your flight? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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