Airlines are canceling flights and asking passengers to stay away from Heathrow, London, amid the interruption in one of the world’s busiest travel centers.
According to Ian Petchenik, director of the Flightradar24 tracking site, the closure of Heathrow airport on Friday (21) should affect more than 1,300 flights, affecting thousands of passengers.
Ryanair has launched eight “rescue flights” between Dublin and London Stansted to assist affected passengers. Four trips will operate this Friday (21) and four on Saturday (22).
Air France has canceled eight flights coming out and going to Heathrow, but explains that routes to other UK airports are operating normally.
Virgin Atlantic is warning: “If you are traveling from or to London Heathrow today, do not proceed to the starter airport at this time.” The airline wrote on its website that it is “offering flexible options” to help customers adjust their travel plans.
In a statement, British Airways said: “Customers who should go to are advised not to travel to the place until new warning. This will clearly have a significant impact on our operation and our customers, and we are working as soon as possible to update them about their travel options in the next 24 hours and beyond.”
Qatar Airways statement states that several flights have been affected and adds: “Qatar Airways is working closely with LHR airport authorities. Passengers affected due to the above will be served by our customer and airport service teams.”
“You can choose to be rescheduled for the next flight available, reschedule your trip to a later date or change your destination within our direct network. If you no longer want to travel, you can also request a refund.”
Deviations throughout Europe
Flights are being diverted in, including five to Manchester airport in the UK, approximately 322 km from London.
Manchester no longer expects flight deviations and the closing of Heathrow airport is no longer impacting Manchester flights to other destinations, according to spokesman Michael Murphy-Pyle.
“The deviated trips were those that were already in the air, so this is a decreasing number,” explained the spokesman for Michael Murphy-Pyle airport to CNN. He added that airports and airlines are well versed in accepting diverted flights, which is a common practice during adverse weather conditions or other basis interruptions.
At least 120 air flights to alternative airports, according to FlightTar24.
Flights scheduled to land in Heathrow on the morning of Friday (21) were also diverted to airports in Madrid, Paris and Shannon, Ireland.
