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Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations Hurricane Sandy: Thousands hit by flight cancellations
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of transatlantic passengers are facing disruption with the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US as Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast of the US. Thousands of transatlantic passengers are facing disruption with the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US as Hurricane Sandy hits the US east coast.
BA and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston, with Baltimore and Philadelphia flights also cut.BA and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled all flights to and from New York, Washington and Boston, with Baltimore and Philadelphia flights also cut.
Passengers are being offered the opportunity to re-book or get a refund.Passengers are being offered the opportunity to re-book or get a refund.
But disruption could last for days if Sandy intensifies. But disruption could last for days if Sandy continues to intensify.
With winds of 75mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is threatening 50 million people along the densely-populated east coast. With winds now reaching 85mph, the hurricane - dubbed "Frankenstorm" - is threatening 50 million people along the densely-populated east coast.
Emergencies have been declared in a number of states from North Carolina to Connecticut.Emergencies have been declared in a number of states from North Carolina to Connecticut.
'Safety is highest priority''Safety is highest priority'
United Airlines has cancelled departures from Manchester and Birmingham to some US cities, and Virgin Atlantic has already cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York - a sign that the storm could cause delays for more than 24 hours.United Airlines has cancelled departures from Manchester and Birmingham to some US cities, and Virgin Atlantic has already cancelled early flights on Tuesday to JFK and Newark Airport in New York - a sign that the storm could cause delays for more than 24 hours.
A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic highlighted the "number one priority" of passenger and crew safety.A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic highlighted the "number one priority" of passenger and crew safety.
He said: "We are continuously liaising with local authorities to assess the situation and minimise the disruption caused to passengers."He said: "We are continuously liaising with local authorities to assess the situation and minimise the disruption caused to passengers."
He advised passengers to check the Virgin website for latest updates.He advised passengers to check the Virgin website for latest updates.
A statement from BA said: "We understand that customers may be disappointed, however, their safety is our highest priority. So far Virgin has cancelled 14 flights from Heathrow Airport to the US east coast, while British Airways has cancelled a total of 20.
BA is advising customers to check the status of their flights on its website before going to Heathrow.
In a statement BA said: "We understand that customers may be disappointed, however, their safety is our highest priority.
"We are offering the option to re-book or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled."We are offering the option to re-book or receive a refund to those customers whose flights are cancelled.
"We have also received reports that public transport links to East Coast US airports may be disrupted, so advise customers to review their flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport." "We have also received reports that public transport links to east coast US airports may be disrupted, so advise customers to review their flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport."
Heathrow Airport has asked those due to fly to the US to check their flight status before travelling. Heathrow Airport said those due to fly to the US eastern seaboard on any airline should check their flight status before travelling.
The airport said on Monday that 12 flights arriving from the US and 47 departures had been cancelled. The airport said on Monday that a total of 12 flights arriving from the US and 47 departures had been cancelled.
Widespread destruction forecastWidespread destruction forecast
The authorities in New York have warned that the storm could cause sea levels to rise - swamping parts of Lower Manhattan, flooding the underground transport system and cutting off electricity supplies and communications. In New York thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes, and evacuation shelters have been set up in 76 schools.
The New York Stock Exchange will not operate on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed. The authorities have warned that the storm could cause sea levels to rise - swamping parts of Lower Manhattan, flooding the underground transport system and cutting off electricity supplies and communications.
The New York Stock Exchange is not operating on Monday and the United Nations headquarters in the city has been closed.
The Foreign Office said the British consulates in Boston and New York would be closed, and the British Embassy in Washington would operate a reduced service.The Foreign Office said the British consulates in Boston and New York would be closed, and the British Embassy in Washington would operate a reduced service.
Hurricane Sandy - which has killed 60 people in the Caribbean during the past week - could cause destruction over 800 miles from the East Coast to the Great Lakes as it merges with a wintry storm from the western US. Hurricane Sandy - which has killed 60 people in the Caribbean during the past week - could cause destruction over 800 miles from the east coast to the Great Lakes as it merges with a wintry storm from the western US.
At 02:00 EDT (06:00 GMT), the storm was turning north, its eye swirling about 425 miles (760km) south-east of New York City, according to the href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/281457.shtml" >National Hurricane Center. Forecasters say its maximum sustained wind speeds have increased to 85mph, with more powerful gusts possible.
As many as 375,000 people have been ordered to evacuate low-lying areas of the city and authorities have been shutting down the Eastern Seaboard. At 08:00 EDT (12:00 GMT), the storm was churning about 310 miles (505km) south-east of New York, according the US href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/281457.shtml" >National Hurricane Center.
Apart from New York, states of emergency have also been declared in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.Apart from New York, states of emergency have also been declared in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and a coastal county in North Carolina.
And it is forcing presidential candidates to adjust schedules and cancel events, just one week before the US elections. The storm is also forcing presidential candidates to adjust schedules and cancel events, just one week before the US elections.
Are you affected by the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you affected by the cancellation of flights between Britain and the US? Send us your experiences using the form below.