Issued at 1pm
Current situation
Heathrow is open. Our runways, taxiways and stands have been cleared of snow. Our snow plan has worked far better than in previous years and the airport is getting back to normal. However there will still be disruption for passengers as indicated yesterday.
Airlines expect to operate about 50% of the 1,300 flights originally scheduled for today. We took the decision with airlines and air traffic control yesterday to reduce the flight schedule in advance. By cancelling flights in advance airlines have been able to rebook some people onto flights that are departing, and passengers have had better quality information about whether they can fly or not.
We have extra staff in the terminals to help passengers whose flights have been cancelled rebook their flights.
Forecast for the rest of today
There is no further snowfall forecast today, but there is a forecast of freezing fog from 18:00 this evening.
Tomorrow’s schedule
BAA, Heathrow airlines and NATS met this morning and agreed that based on current weather forecasts, there is no need to reduce Heathrow’s flight schedule tomorrow. Heathrow’s usual flight schedule will operate. There may still be some cancellations as a result of today’s disruption with aircraft and crew needing to be repositioned. Passengers should check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling.
