Flights and ferries cancelled during Christmas getaway

Flights and ferries were cancelled yesterday because of bad weather, disrupting the Chirstmas travel plans of thousands of people.

- STAFF REPORTER

The Met Office announced yellow warnings for parts of the country, warning of strong gusts.

Heathrow confirmed a “small number of flights” had been cancelled yesterday due to “strong winds and airspace restrictions”.

British Airways said it had been forced to make a “small number of cancellations” due to the restrictions at Heathrow.

P&O Ferries also confirmed journeys between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled for at least 24 hours.

A spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight [21 December] until at least 2000 tomorrow night [22 December]. We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion.”

The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers hit the road on Friday, making it the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010. It projected that yesterday would see 22.7 million drivers and today 21.3 million.