UK HOLIDAY DISRUPTIONS AS SOME FLIGHTS CANCELLED DUE TO HIGH WINDS

LONDON, Dec 22 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- A “perfect storm” of bad weather and millions of travellers has resulted in disruption at the start of the Christmas getaway period – with some flights and ferries cancelled due to high winds, reported PA Media/dpa news agency.

The Meteorological Office or Met Office, said yellow warnings for wind, which came into force at 7 am (0700 GMT) on Saturday, are expected to remain in place until 9 pm on Sunday.

Warnings remain in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and in England the warnings cover the North East, North West, South West and West Midlands as well as Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Hampshire.

Heathrow Airport announced a “small number of flights” had been cancelled due to “strong winds and airspace restriction”. British Airways said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we’ve had to make a small number of cancellations.

“We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.

“While the vast majority of our customers will travel as planned, our teams are working hard to help those who have been affected get their travel plans back on track at this important time of year.”

P&O Ferries said journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled until at least 8 pm on Sunday.

It comes amid warnings of a “perfect storm” created by bad weather and congestion on the roads.

The AA motoring association predicted 21.3 million drivers will hit the road on Sunday while 22.7 million had been expected on Saturday, slightly fewer than the 23.7 million on Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.

A spokesperson said, “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.”

The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) estimated seven million leisure trips would be made on major roads during the weekend, which excludes everyday traffic. It predicted congestion hotspots in several areas, including Gatwick, Liverpool, and Oxford.

-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa