Airport delays LIVE: Passengers facing heavy delays and cancellations due to fog at Manchester and Gatwick

Passengers delayed at Manchester Airport have shared their frustration as they await to see if their flights will be cancelled.

One traveller said they faced a two hour delay but could not get into an airline lounge to wait in comfort as it was full.

National Highways, which runs the UK’s motorways and busiest A-roads, said the misty weather is not having a significant impact on its network.

However, it reminded motorists to use dipped headlights, wipers and demisters while driving in foggy conditions.

John Mitchell, 47, is desperate to get back to Aberdeen after finding out his father passed away on Friday morning.

Mr Mitchell, who had been in London visiting friends, booked a last-minute EasyJet flight from Gatwick Airport on Friday which has now been delayed for more than three hours due to the foggy weather conditions.

Mr Mitchell says he is “absolutely devastated” and hopes his flight which has been delayed till 10.53pm actually flies on Friday.

“I was actually supposed to be in London till Sunday, but I’ve had a family bereavement. My dad passed away this morning,” Mr Mitchell told the PA news agency.

“The flight I booked is for 7.35pm but is now estimated to leave at 10.53pm – nearly three-and-a-half hours late. I’m worried because Aberdeen airport has got restrictions for late flights.

“I’m a mess down here, because, obviously, once I get home – if I get home to Aberdeen tonight – my car is actually at the airport, which is fine.

“I’m going to have to go and see my family, and I’m not going to get to them at 11.30am tomorrow morning.

“I’m absolutely devastated. I don’t know what to do.”

Live departure boards are now showing that around half a dozen flights set to leave Manchester Airport on Friday evening have now been cancelled.

It comes after almost every flight set to depart from the airport today had been delayed due to fog.

Passengers travelling from Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport have also been hit by delays today.

A number of British Airways flights were cancelled, while hundreds more flights due to depart from the airport today were delayed – some by several hours.

Some passengers at Gatwick and Manchester Airport have faced delays of over four hours today.

Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed on Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. Several to destinations such as Guernsey, Dublin, Munich and Hurghada were also delayed by over four hours.

The delays appeared to be less severe at Gatwick, though most were around the two hour mark.

Flights into the evening at both airports are still currently expecting to face delays, according to flight radar.

Britain’s biggest budget airline, EasyJet, said it is currently experiencing some disruption to its flying programme due to low visibility.

“While this is outside of our control, we are doing all we can to minimise the impact of the delays,” a spokesperson said.

Travellers are being urged to check with their airline as air traffic restrictions are in place at several UK airports due to fog, the country’s main air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats said on Friday.

A Nats spokesperson said: “Due to widespread fog, temporary air traffic restrictions are in place at several airports across the UK today. Restrictions of this sort are only ever applied to maintain safety.

“We continue to monitor the situation and have a Met Office expert embedded within our operation to ensure we have the latest available information. Our teams are working closely with the airports and airlines to minimise disruption.”

Airline passengers are facing heavy delays days before the new year as thick fog wreaks havoc on the busiest UK airports.

Gatwick and Manchester, the UK’s second and third busiest airports, are among those affected by the bad weather.

Almost every flight from Manchester airport was delayed on Friday, with the majority being held back by over two hours. Several to destinations such as Guernsey, Dublin, Munich and Hurghada were also delayed by over four hours.