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/uk/7158062.stm

The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Fog delays hit holiday travellers Fog delays hit holiday travellers
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds of air passengers are facing delays to their Christmas getaway, with thick fog forcing more than 90 Heathrow and Gatwick flights to be cancelled. Hundreds of air passengers are facing delays to their Christmas getaway, with fog forcing more than 100 Heathrow and Gatwick flights to be cancelled.
Some 69 outbound flights from Heathrow and 25 from Gatwick have been grounded. Some 84 outbound flights from Heathrow and 25 from Gatwick have been grounded.
Airlines said customers were being offered alternative flights or refunds.Airlines said customers were being offered alternative flights or refunds.
The fog has also affected parts of the M1, the M62 and the M60 motorways.The fog has also affected parts of the M1, the M62 and the M60 motorways.
The BBC Weather Centre said visibility had dropped to 50m (164ft) in places.The BBC Weather Centre said visibility had dropped to 50m (164ft) in places.
However, forecasters expected the fog to clear later - giving way to milder, wetter weather - and they said rain was likely across the UK on Christmas Eve. However, forecasters expected the fog to clear in the early hours of Monday - giving way to milder, wetter weather - and they said rain was likely across the UK on Christmas Eve.
Check with airlinesCheck with airlines
Of the 69 flights cancelled at Heathrow, 30 are short-haul flights from Terminal 1, 21 European short-haul from Terminal 2, 17 short and long haul from Terminal 4 and one long-haul flight from Terminal 3. Of the 84 flights cancelled at Heathrow, 42 are short-haul flights from Terminal 1, 21 European short haul from Terminal 2, 20 short and long haul from Terminal 4 and one long-haul flight from Terminal 3.
At Gatwick, 15 short-haul flights have been cancelled - 10 are British Airways flights and five Easyjet. Destinations include Edinburgh, Dublin, Milan and Rome.
At Gatwick, 15 short-haul flights have been cancelled - 10 are British Airways flights and five Easyjet. The flights were bound for Amsterdam, Manchester, Newquay and Jersey.
A spokesman for Heathrow said that 181,000 passengers were expected in Heathrow's terminals on Sunday, slightly fewer than Saturday when 214,000 passed through.A spokesman for Heathrow said that 181,000 passengers were expected in Heathrow's terminals on Sunday, slightly fewer than Saturday when 214,000 passed through.
HAVE YOUR SAY Every year it is the same story. Cancelled flights, traffic jams, stranded at airports and train stations Brenda Lyall, Aberdeen Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Every year it is the same story. Cancelled flights, traffic jams, stranded at airports and train stations Brenda Lyall, Aberdeen Send us your comments
Passengers are being advised to check with their airline for further information before travelling.Passengers are being advised to check with their airline for further information before travelling.
British Airways said all its customers facing cancellations would be refunded or offered the chance to re-book their flight on other available services.British Airways said all its customers facing cancellations would be refunded or offered the chance to re-book their flight on other available services.
A spokesman for Easyjet said the company had also only cancelled flights where there had been alternative options for passengers.A spokesman for Easyjet said the company had also only cancelled flights where there had been alternative options for passengers.
"Because the fog caused just a reduction in capacity, we had reasonable amount of flexibility to choose which flights to cancel," he said."Because the fog caused just a reduction in capacity, we had reasonable amount of flexibility to choose which flights to cancel," he said.
"Those passengers have been re-booked on flights going today and tomorrow. No-one is going to be left behind.""Those passengers have been re-booked on flights going today and tomorrow. No-one is going to be left behind."
Rail optionsRail options
Virgin Rail said there was still room on the company's pre-Christmas services for stranded air travellers.Virgin Rail said there was still room on the company's pre-Christmas services for stranded air travellers.
A company spokesman added: "Our trains are running normally and there are still seats available. We'll do everything we can to help."A company spokesman added: "Our trains are running normally and there are still seats available. We'll do everything we can to help."
Stansted and Southampton airports both said they were operating a normal service. Stansted and Southampton airports - hit by fog in previous days - both said they were operating a normal service.
Elsewhere on the roads, fog has affected the M1 motorway between junctions 19 and 21, and part of the M62 and the M60 in Manchester. On the roads, fog has affected the M1 motorway between junctions 19 and 21, and part of the M62 and the M60 in Manchester.
Parts of the M6 are also suffering from poor visibility, including junction 3 which also has a build-up of ice.Parts of the M6 are also suffering from poor visibility, including junction 3 which also has a build-up of ice.
Problems in Kent include fog on the M2, M20 and M25. There is also fog between junction 11 and 14 of the M5.Problems in Kent include fog on the M2, M20 and M25. There is also fog between junction 11 and 14 of the M5.
Engineering worksEngineering works
Motorists travelling from Sussex into Surrey on the northbound stretch of the M23 faced disruption following two accidents - one south of Gatwick Airport and another south of the junction for the M25, near Redhill.Motorists travelling from Sussex into Surrey on the northbound stretch of the M23 faced disruption following two accidents - one south of Gatwick Airport and another south of the junction for the M25, near Redhill.
Meanwhile in Northamptonshire, two crashes - one on the A14 at the junction with the M1 and another at the A421 at Evenley near Brackley - also caused long delays.Meanwhile in Northamptonshire, two crashes - one on the A14 at the junction with the M1 and another at the A421 at Evenley near Brackley - also caused long delays.
The busiest days on the roads after Friday's mass getaway are expected to be 27 and 28 December.The busiest days on the roads after Friday's mass getaway are expected to be 27 and 28 December.
Rail travellers could yet face problems over the festive period because the West Coast Mainline is partially closing at Rugby for five days from 27 December.Rail travellers could yet face problems over the festive period because the West Coast Mainline is partially closing at Rugby for five days from 27 December.
Passengers are being advised to take alternative routes, such as the National Express East Coast, the Transpennine Express or Chiltern Trains into London Marylebone.Passengers are being advised to take alternative routes, such as the National Express East Coast, the Transpennine Express or Chiltern Trains into London Marylebone.
Have your travel plans been affected by the weather? Send us your comments by filling out the form belowHave your travel plans been affected by the weather? Send us your comments by filling out the form below
Name
 Name