Travel plans for thousands of passengers remain disrupted as flight restrictions continue at Gatwick Airport for a fourth consecutive day due to persistent fog.
On Monday, over 20 flights scheduled at the West Sussex airport were preemptively canceled, with further delays expected throughout the day. This marks the fourth day of disruption at the UK’s second-busiest airport since fog began impacting operations on Friday.
A Gatwick spokesperson commented, “Temporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place due to fog causing poor visibility. Some flights may be delayed throughout the day. London Gatwick apologises for any inconvenience and advises passengers to contact their airline for further information.”
National Air Traffic Control Perspective
Nats, the national air traffic control operator, stated that while weather conditions have significantly improved compared to the weekend, some minor air traffic regulations remain in place. These are reportedly within normal operating limits.
“Passengers should still check the status of their flight with their airline, as there may be residual effects on the usual flying schedule,” a Nats representative told City AM.
Passenger Entitlements
Travelers facing delays of more than two hours may be eligible for assistance, including food, drink, or overnight accommodation if necessary.
Other Airports Unaffected
While Gatwick continues to grapple with fog-related issues, other nearby airports, including London City, Luton, and London Stansted, have reported minimal impact. London Stansted mentioned experiencing minor delays due to flow rate restrictions but confirmed no flight cancellations.
Passengers are advised to stay updated with their airlines for the latest flight information. Photo by Mike McBey, Wikimedia commons.