Millions of travellers face enormous disruption this weekend with severe gales, heavy traffic and transport cancellations poised to create a “perfect storm” during the frantic Christmas getaway.
Up to 90 flights are believed to have been cancelled at Heathrow Airport, while roads, ferries and rail services have also been heavily impacted.
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for strong winds across much of the UK, with gusts of up to 80mph forecast in some areas. These conditions have led to widespread travel disruption just as millions embark on long-awaited holiday journeys.
Severe gales have grounded flights, with Heathrow confirming that almost 90 were cancelled on Saturday due to strong winds and airspace restrictions, according to the Mirror.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said: “This decision was taken to ensure the safety of passengers and crews. The vast majority of flights are still running as planned, and extra staff are on hand in terminals to assist travelers. We urge passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates.”
On the roads, the AA estimated that 23.7 million drivers set off yesterday, the busiest day for road travel since the group began keeping records in 2010. Saturday and Sunday are expected to see similarly high volumes, with 22.7 million and 21.3 million drivers projected, respectively.
An AA spokesperson said: “With more than 20 million car journeys expected on both Saturday and Sunday, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm.
“We advise those heading out to allow extra time and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”
The RAC has identified several congestion hotspots, including routes around the M25, M1, M5, and southbound routes toward Gatwick and the south coast.
Seven million leisure trips are expected over the weekend, adding to the strain on already busy highways.
Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, appealed for patience.
He said: “These are important journeys at this time of year. We’re asking people to stay calm, give themselves extra time, and prioritize safety above everything else.”
Ferry operators are likewise reporting widespread disruption. P&O Ferries suspended all services between Larne and Cairnryan for at least 24 hours due to adverse weather conditions, advising customers to avoid traveling to ports to prevent congestion.
In Scotland, CalMac Ferries canceled sailings on 21 routes along the west coast, while Northlink Ferries suspended its evening sailings between Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland. Dangerous coastal conditions and large waves are anticipated in affected areas.
The Met Office has warned that gusts could exceed 80mph in parts of northern Scotland, particularly in coastal districts such as Orkney, where dangerous waves are expected. Yellow weather warnings extend across London, the South East, the Midlands, Yorkshire, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the potential for snow and icy roads in northern Scotland by Sunday morning.
“Frequent blustery showers may merge into longer spells of rain, with a risk of sleet and snow on higher ground,” the Met Office said.
It added: “Icy patches will be an additional hazard by Sunday morning.”
As millions prepare to travel during one of the busiest weekends of the year, delays and cancellations are likely to affect many holiday plans. The combination of heavy traffic, high winds and widespread transport disruption is creating significant challenges for Christmas travelers.
No such problems have been reported so far at London Gatwick
Express.co.uk has also contacted London Stanstead for comment.
