Flights have been delayed or cancelled and rail services not running, as Storm Éowyn batters parts of the UK, with some winds reaching up to 114mph posing threat to life
Brits are facing 114mph winds today as Storm Éowyn batters the UK causing flight delays and cancellations across the country.
As Storm Éowyn barrels across the UK, citizens are being warned to not travel, with many schools closing for the day, flights and rail services cancelled, and a rare red weather warning issued. Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports have announced they are “limiting operations” due to a “significant number” of cancellations caused by the storm.
An earlier statement from Edinburgh Airport read: “Operations will be limited during Friday’s Red weather warning. Passengers and staff are urged to follow Police Scotland advice and not travel. Passengers should continue to check with their airline for latest flight info.”
Several flights from London Heathrow are either delayed or cancelled. Flights to destinations including Newcastle, Cork and Dublin have been cancelled, whilst some flights to Europe, including Barcelona, have been delayed. A number of flights have also been cancelled at Manchester Airport including to Belfast, Aberdeen and the Isle of Man.
Passengers and motorists located in areas with a red and amber weather warning are being urged to avoid travel “unless absolutely essential”.
Guy Hobbs, Which? Travel expert, said: “Many travellers will understandably be concerned about flight delays or cancellations as a result of Storm Éowyn. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, you’re unlikely to be owed compensation by the airline as weather events are considered ‘extraordinary circumstances’. Airlines should still be offering assistance, this could include free food and drink – usually in the form of vouchers – as well as overnight accommodation if it becomes necessary.
“If your flight is cancelled, your airline is legally obliged to find you alternative flights, including with rival carriers, as soon as possible, or you can opt to be refunded. If you take a refund, be aware that your airline will no longer need to assist you in completing your journey.
“If you’re travelling today, allow extra time for your journey and check with your airline for the latest updates before setting off. It’s also worth checking the terms of your travel insurance to see if you are able to recoup any other expenses you may incur as a result of the delays, such as car hire or airport parking fees.”
There are also disruptions to rail services in parts of the country, including services in the north connecting Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Whitby and Hexham. Train operator ScotRail has suspended all services across Scotland today, stating that it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.
Several other train companies including Avanti West Coast, Lumo, CrossCountry and Grand Central have also told customers to not travel on routes across parts of north Wales, Scotland and northern England with no services running.
List of airports with delays or cancellations:
Heathrow – delays and cancellations
Edinburgh – most flights cancelled, some delayed
Glasgow – all flights cancelled
Manchester – some cancellations
Newcastle – cancellations
Cardiff – some cancellations
Leeds Bradford – cancellations
Liverpool – cancellations and delays