Heathrow flights cancelled and trains & ferries axed in ‘perfect storm’ of ‘severe gales’ and huge Christmas getaway

FLIGHTS have been cancelled at Heathrow and trains and ferries axed across the UK over "severe gales" as the Christmas getaway begins.

Brits have been hit with travel chaos amid a "perfect storm" of "severe gales" as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings.

FlightAware showed 33 flights from the airport were axed today and another 58 on Sunday, with Met Office weather warnings in place for "severe" 80mph gales.

More than 200 further flights are also delayed.

According to the , these numbers were confirmed by the airport.

But when contacted by The Sun, a Heathrow spokesperson contested the figures, though said they could not confirm the exact amount.

A statement from the airport had said "a small number of flights" have been cancelled on Saturday due to "strong winds and airspace restrictions".

They added: "This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.

"We know how important travel at this time of year is and have extra colleagues on hand in our terminals to support people on their journeys.

"We encourage passengers to check in with their airlines for the latest information about their flights."

Meanwhile, P&O Ferries also confirmed journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled for at least 24 hours.

A spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight (21st December) until at least 2000 tomorrow night (22nd December).

"We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion.”

This afternoon CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland’s west coast, also reported sailings on 21 of its routes were cancelled for the day, with other services facing disruption.

Meanwhile, Northlink Ferries, which runs services between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland isles, also reported disruption.

And, the AA predicted 23.7 million drivers would hit the road yesterday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

It projected 22.7 million drivers would get behind the wheel today and 21.3 million tomorrow.

A spokesperson for the group said: “With more than 20 million car journeys expected on both Saturday and Sunday if the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm.

“We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”

It predicted travel disruption hotspots will be on both directions of the M1 to Gatwick via the M25 and the M23; Liverpool to Chester on the M53; Oxford to the south coast via the A34 and the M3; the M25 to the south coast along the M3; and at the Taunton to Almondsbury Interchange in Bristol heading down the M5.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme today, RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis warned: “What we’re saying to people is just be patient.

"hese are journeys that matter to us this time of year. Just don’t expect to get there the minute your sat-nav says it will.

"Allow yourself a bit of time to make it easy and get there safely.”

Elsewhere, rail operator ScotRail announced speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.

'BUSIEST EVER'

It comes after Heathrow said earlier this week it was preparing for the "busiest Christmas ever".

The West London airport expects the number of passengers travelling through its terminals on December 25 to be 21 per cent higher than on the same day last year.

It also predicts that passenger numbers for the month as a whole will exceed the previous record of 6.7 million in 2023.

The airport made the forecast after confirming it served 6.5 million passengers last month in the "busiest ever November".

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “This year has been all about providing high levels of service for record amounts of passengers at Heathrow, and November was no different.

“As we embrace the festive season, our focus remains on ensuring smooth, joyful journeys – whether it is helping passengers get away for Christmas to reunite with their loved ones, or making sure cargo reaches its destination on time.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office is also forecasting snow for some in the coming hours.

Flurries are set to hit Scotland today, before spreading to northern England at around 11pm.

Meanwhile, a yellow warning for wind is currently also in place, covering the north and northwest, including Manchester and Newcastle, as well as most of northern Ireland and all of Scotland.

Sunday's warning will also include London, the South East and South West, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Westerly winds are forecast to pick up over Saturday with 50-60mph gusts expected, with a small chance of some reaching 80mph.

Sunday's warning will also include London, the South East and South West, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and all of Wales and Northern Ireland.

The strong winds will be more widespread tomorrow, meteorologists said, but the weather will be "exceptionally mild" by Christmas Day.

The Met Office said: "The strongest winds are expected across the far north of Scotland on Saturday afternoon and evening, with the potential for gusts in excess of 80mph in coastal districts including Orkney.

"Dangerous coastal conditions can be expected too, with large waves an additional hazard, especially in respect to causeways. This period of strong winds may lead to some transport disruption, including ferry delays or cancellations.

"Frequent blustery showers will also be a feature on Saturday and may merge into a longer spell of rain for a time in the far north and north-west.

"Those showers could turn to snow on the hills in the north-west of Scotland on Saturday evening, and then overnight and into Sunday.

"Snow will be focused over hills, where several centimetres may fall, but some sleet, snow and hail may fall to quite low levels for a time, bringing possible icy conditions by Sunday morning."