Major UK Snowfall Closes London Airports

ThePRGuy · Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:51 pm

At current, every London airport bar Heathrow are closed due to freak snowfall (about 5-10cm) plus Birmingham and East Midlands.

All according to BBC News

Good luck to anyone travelling on the rails/air/cars today in the south !!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6338151.stm

Thanks
Alex

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:59 pm

Quoting ThePRGuy (Thread starter):
freak snowfall (about 5-10cm)

That's what I love about this country, 2" of snow and the place grinds to a halt. Didn't the recent closure of DEN take nearly foot before the chaos started ?!

Surely we have learnt our lesson, this happens nearly every year ?! BAA are probably spending all their cash on more Duty Free shops rather than snow clearing equipment, seeing as global warming probably means we'll never have snow again Wink

JC

ThePRGuy · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:01 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 1):
That's what I love about this country, 2" of snow and the place grinds to a halt. Didn't the recent closure of DEN take nearly foot before the chaos started ?!

Yeah thats what is hilarious.

BBC news is showing footage of London City airport with a tractor ploughing the runway, but its hardly bad!

Thanks
Alex

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:12 pm

Quoting ThePRGuy (Reply 2):
BBC news is showing footage of London City airport with a tractor ploughing the runway, but its hardly bad!

ha ha I'm surprised Health and Safety let them out on that runway in these terrible conditions, he might skid off into the docks Wink

Speedbirdie · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:15 pm

Oh its pathetic isnt it!!!
Im sitting at LGW and I just heard that they have re-opened the runway here so hopefully my flight will go!
Thankfully, im not in the South (Chav) Terminal so I bet that is chaos as I also just overheard that 25 flights from the North Terminal have been cancelled! How exciting!!

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:24 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 4):
Thankfully, im not in the South (Chav) Terminal

Does that mean North is posh, or just slightly less chav ?!

I'm just about to get on the train to AMS to try and head home to the posh/less chav terminal, I've seen a couple of snow flakes here, luckily the Dutch don't seem too bothered and don't seem to be rushing to close the airport Wink

JC

N1120A · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:28 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 1):
Didn't the recent closure of DEN take nearly foot before the chaos started ?!

More like 4 feet.

Speedbirdie · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:31 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 5):
Does that mean North is posh, or just slightly less chav ?!

Well I am in the North Terminal so therefore it is posh ha ha!!
At least all the passengers are being given information frequently here, unlike Heathrow. Its much more civilised at LGW in my opinion!

cainanuk · Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:48 pm

Why is it "freak" snowfall? It is WINTER is it not?

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:02 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 7):
Well I am in the North Terminal so therefore it is posh ha ha!!

Of course !! ha ha

Just checked the forecast here in AMS and there's snow forecast for later, so fingers crossed BA manage to get a plane out of LGW to come get me ! Mind you, I can think of worse places to be stuck Wink

JC

Danny · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:08 pm

Send some of the BAA guys to BUF or MSP for "snow handling training" Wink

Speedbirdie · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:09 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 9):
Just checked the forecast here in AMS and there's snow forecast for later, so fingers crossed BA manage to get a plane out of LGW to come get me ! Mind you, I can think of worse places to be stuck

Drop me a line when you get here, I'll probably be here all frikkin day!!!
Mind you, Im sooo close to handing in my boarding card right now and going home you wouldnt beleive it!!
Oh and there is a fight kicking off in front of me.... excellent...

UAXDXer · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:14 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 11):
Oh and there is a fight kicking off in front of me.... excellent...

I expect a 'blow by blow' recap from you!!!
box

OA260 · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:17 pm

Most are hoping to open by midday.

IMPORTANT PASSENGER INFORMATION

Adverse weather - The runway at Stansted is temporarily closed due to adverse weather conditions. Flights into and out of the airport may be subject to delay or cancellation. We strongly advise passengers to check with their airline before departing for the airport. If travelling to the airport, please allow extra time as road and rail networks may also experience disruption.

Airport closures

The runway at Gatwick airport was closed because of the severe weather, but has now reopened. Passengers are being advised to check in as normal.

Travel disruption at-a-glance
Send us your experiences

The runways at Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham and London City airports have also been temporarily closed.

British Airways warned that many short-haul flights from Heathrow airport would be cancelled after 1000 GMT.

Airport operator BAA said people planning to fly from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports should check with their airlines before travelling.

soups · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:19 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 9):
Just checked the forecast here in AMS and there's snow forecast for later, so fingers crossed BA manage to get a plane out of LGW to come get me ! Mind you, I can think of worse places to be stuck

09:40 BA8112 AMSTERDAM CANCELLED North Terminal
12:10 BA8114 AMSTERDAM North Terminal
12:25 EZY5104 AMSTERDAM CANCELLED South Terminal

LGWspeedbird · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:23 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 7):
Its much more civilised at LGW in my opinion!

See LGW rules!!!

Im so glad that I am rostered off today, I do feel sorry for my poor colleagues who are going to get all the angry pax. And for the pax that get stuck its not very nice.

Is it still snowing at LGW does anyone know? it is in kent.

Looks like the majority of Shorthaul BA flights at LGW have been cancelled until 12.00 GB airways and a few domestic flights seem to be operating.

[Edited 2007-02-08 10:27:45]

Speedbirdie · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:24 pm

Quoting UAXDXer (Reply 12):
I expect a 'blow by blow' recap from you!!!

A 'gentleman of ethnic origin' (shall we say) was shouting in the queue and drawing rather a lot of attention to himself..
He has now been cautioned I believe. Im sitting on a trolley with people standing in my way.. I mean im trying to watch a fight!! Get out of my way!!

Speedbirdie · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:26 pm

Quoting LGWspeedbird (Reply 15):
Is it still snowing at LGW does anyone know? it is in kent.

Yes.. and Staff Standby sucks...

Update : The 'ethnic' Gentleman is now shouting again... sweeeeeet...
*brushes hair and waits for hunky policeman*

LGWspeedbird · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:28 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 17):

Where are you trying to get to is it chaos in the terminal?

tcxdegsy · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:41 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 1):
chaos

It always makes me laugh how BBC (AKA London Broadcasting Co), and ITN (AKA Independant London News) use the word "chaos", when most Brits do what they always do - just get on with it!

The media, as usual, blow everything out of proportion

B747-437B · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:43 pm

South Terminal has been surprisingly civilised all morning if my staff are to believed. Our inbound had to hold for an hour before we could land due to the runway closure, but the outbound checkin has been pretty smooth. Fair number of noshows but its closed on time, and de-icing pending, we might actually have an on-time departure!!!

mbj2000 · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:43 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 1):
That's what I love about this country, 2" of snow and the place grinds to a halt. Didn't the recent closure of DEN take nearly foot before the chaos started ?!

Surely we have learnt our lesson, this happens nearly every year ?! BAA are probably spending all their cash on more Duty Free shops rather than snow clearing equipment, seeing as global warming probably means we'll never have snow again Wink

JC

Sorry guys, but this is really hilarious, oh my god, 7 cm of snow! I first thought maybe they meant 70cm but looking at the pictures it was really just some white spots... Smile

Hopefully no canadian or so reads this "news"...

[email protected] · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:44 pm

LMAO!

After 3 months in hot-and-humid, and occasionally wet, Southeast Asia, I'm due to fly home (BKK-AUH-LGW with EY) tomorrow (Fri 9th) and arrive into LGW at 0555 on Sat (10th).

What do you suggest?

N1120A · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:47 pm

Quoting Cainanuk (Reply 8):
Why is it "freak" snowfall? It is WINTER is it not?

Because it is the Southeast, which is generally miserable but not usually snowy Wink

ThePRGuy · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:54 pm

Quoting Cainanuk (Reply 8):
Why is it "freak" snowfall? It is WINTER is it not?

This is the thames basin afterall!
Its rather special for us here!!
Heathrow experiencing "shorthaul flight cancellations" from BA apparently.
Thanks
Alex

eham · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:55 pm

Amsterdam Schiphol is back to only 1 landing runway and 1 take-off runway.
This means landing capacity is reduced by 50%.

Heavy snowfall expected around noon continuing the whole afternoon, already between 30 and 40 KLM flights are cancelled.

wheelsatc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:57 pm

Have there been any diverts to Southend? or is the runway closed there aswell? Probably is, i live near southend and we had about 3 or 4 inches of snow.

UAXDXer · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:01 pm

Quoting Speedbirdie (Reply 17):
Update : The 'ethnic' Gentleman is now shouting again... sweeeeeet...

No blood shed yet?!?!?! Dang! You gotta love weather days at the airport!!!

swiftski · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:05 pm

I have just returned home from STN after my Milan flight was cancelled.

Chaos as usual. It seems the staff simply dont have the info to give out, rather than that they are unwilling to divulge.

Supposed to reopen at 1130 but huge knock on delays expected.

[email protected] · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:07 pm

Quoting Swiftski (Reply 28):
ski

Seems apt!

Does anyone have any idea what LGW might be like at the ungodly hour of 0555 this Sat?

mauriceb · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:10 pm

Due to the heavy snow fall which will be here in 1 a 2 hours, AMS can only take 25-30 landings an hour, instead of the earlier 30-35 announced...

Normally AMS takes about 70 landing p/h

BALAX · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:12 pm

How much snow are we talking about around LGW and STN?

N1120A · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:18 pm

Quoting BALAX (Reply 31):
How much snow are we talking about around LGW and STN?

Less than 6"

cainanuk · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:19 pm

Quoting ThePRGuy (Reply 24):
Heathrow experiencing "shorthaul flight cancellations" from BA apparently.

Yes but the problem is that the BBC doesnt seem to realise that other carriers in the UK are NOT actually just divisions of BA. Whilst they always mention BA cancellations, they never mention the fact that other carriers (such as BD) arent completely crippled in the face of adversity and for the most part just get on with their respective programmes.

BALAX · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:21 pm

hehe...not enough snow plowing equipment? is it still coming down? Let me check the LAX arrivals today, might get stuck there.

theginge · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:23 pm

One of the problems, particularly for BA at LHR is that during adverse weather the flow rate decreases, meaning slot delays on inbound flights. This means that if an inbound flight is delayed for too long its outbound flight will then be significantly delayed, and then times this by the number of shorthauls that BA have and you can see where the problem starts to grow.
If BA kept all their flights running and took slot delays and obviously departure delays of of LHR due de-icing etc then they would still be operating some of todays flights in the early hours of tomorrow morning!!

scouseflyer · Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:36 pm

Quoting TCXDegsy (Reply 19):
It always makes me laugh how BBC (AKA London Broadcasting Co), and ITN (AKA Independant London News) use the word "chaos", when most Brits do what they always do - just get on with it!

I sometime wonder if the whole of the UK outside of the South East broke off and sank leaving just Greater London as an island - how log it would actually take for the media to notice........ couple of weeks I reckon!

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:18 pm

Quoting MauriceB (Reply 30):
Due to the heavy snow fall which will be here in 1 a 2 hours, AMS can only take 25-30 landings an hour, instead of the earlier 30-35 announced...

Great ;-(

Half an hour ago I could see the tower at AMS clearly, now all I see is white..... Maybe I'll just rebook my flight home for tomorrow and go see the sights of Amsterdam Wink

EGBJ · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:22 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 37):
Maybe I'll just rebook my flight home for tomorrow and go see the sights of Amsterdam

That might be the best option Wink

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:31 pm

Quoting EGBJ (Reply 38):
That might be the best option

Done !! Rebooked onto the 15.55 BA AMS - LGW to hopefully let things calm down... Damn, I was looking forward to seeing the chaos and fighting with Speedbirdie at LGW... Aw well just have to wait I suppose Wink

JC

RP TPA · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:31 pm

Quoting LHRjc (Reply 5):
Thankfully, im not in the South (Chav) Terminal

Does that mean North is posh, or just slightly less chav ?!

For us non "English" speaking chaps here in the USA, could you please translate the word "chav".

LHRjc · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:43 pm

Quoting RP TPA (Reply 40):
For us non "English" speaking chaps here in the USA, could you please translate the word "chav".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav

"Chav is a mainly derogatory slang term in some parts of the United Kingdom for a subcultural stereotype fixated on fashions such as gold jewellery (often cheap) and 'designer' clothing. They are generally considered to have no respect for society, as well as being considered ignorant or unintelligent."

That's a "nice"definition Wink

I'm sure you've just opened a can of worms Wink

JC

astuteman · Thu Feb 08, 2007 8:59 pm

Quoting N1120A (Reply 23):
Because it is the Southeast, which is generally miserable but not usually snowy

For what it's worth, the presence of the North Atlantic Drift of the west coast of the UK usually means our winter weather splits east/west, rather than north/south .

The eastern side of the UK, be it north-east or south-east usually sees a fair bit more "winter" weather than anywhere on the west coast, be it north-west or south-west.

Low-lying Kent in the South-East gets more snow than low-lying Cumbria, here in the North-West (Lake District mountains excepted, of course.. Smile

)

Regards

sandrozrh · Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:46 pm

Quoting MBJ2000 (Reply 21):
Sorry guys, but this is really hilarious, oh my god, 7 cm of snow! I first thought maybe they meant 70cm but looking at the pictures it was really just some white spots...
Hopefully no canadian or so reads this "news"..

Exactly what I was thinking Big grin

The BAA should ask HEL airport authorities for advice Silly

CRJ900 · Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:13 pm

How does Ryanair deal with this? Are they rebooking pax onto other flights or are they saying "forget it, your ten pound fare is lost, now go and buy a new ticket for flights next week!"...??

Will there be 100 irate posts on airlinequality.com again? "Appaling, will never fly them again!!" rotfl

planesarecool · Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:14 pm

Don't worry, summer's just around the corner...Which means airports will be closed due to 'runways melting' in the 'scorching heat' Yeah sure

[email protected] · Thu Feb 08, 2007 11:19 pm

Quoting CRJ900 (Reply 44):
How does Ryanair deal with this?

As usual, its customers can rebook or get a refund:

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/notic...=gops&code=070208-stanstedsnow_-GB

Ryanair regrets that due to the earlier closure of London Luton and London Stansted Airports because of heavy snowfalls, we have been forced to cancel a number of flights which are detailed below;

Customers who are booked on any of the below cancelled flights, can rebook their flights, free of charge (subject to availability) on alternative Ryanair flights up to the 28/02/07.

Alternatively, customers who are booked on any of the below flights, who wish to cancel their booked flights and claim a full refund on their unused flight(s) please click on the link below and enter the required details. Refunds will be processed in 15 working days back to the form of payment used to pay for the booking.

Ryanair sincerely apologises for the inconvenience caused to customers by these flights cancellations.

RobK · Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:58 am

IT'S A NATIONAL CRISIS!!!!!!

Looking out of my window I can see people fighting with each other trying to get inside Tesbury's to buy 13 loafs of bread and 46 tins of beans a piece in order for them to survive this SEVERE WEATHER!!!!!!

sarcastic

R

scouseflyer · Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:11 am

Quoting RobK (Reply 47):
Looking out of my window I can see people fighting with each other trying to get inside Tesbury's to buy 13 loafs of bread and 46 tins of beans a piece in order for them to survive this SEVERE WEATHER!!!!!!

Where exactly is this crisis all we've got in the North is some vaugely frozen drizzle.......

harleyf150 · Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:25 am

Manchester got it's fair share of diversions,the one's i saw include

2 BA 777'S Gatwick Diversions
1 Etihad 777-300ER A6-ETB Gatwick Diversion ( Still there now as of 16.00pm )
1 Qatar A330-300 A7-AEG Gatwick Diversion QR75G Doha
3 Wizz Air A320's
1 EOS 757
3 Air Berlin A320's,F100's
1 Delta 767-300 N169DZ Gatwick Diversion
1 Silverjet 767-200
1 American 777 N790AN Gatwick Diversion AA50 Dallas

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