Wide-bodied aircraft, Birmimgham
Dozens of flights have been cancelled today (10 March) at London Heathrow as severe weather batters the UK.
Some 86 services have been cancelled ” mainly short-haul domestic and European flights ” but many long-haul services were considerably delayed on arrival this morning.
And several wide-body services from Hong Kong and Johannesburg were diverted from Heathrow to Birmingham as an airport spokeswoman explained to ABTN:
”We have taken eight aircraft ” four from British Airways ” two Boeing 747s, a 777 and an Airbus A320 ” as well as those from American Airlines and First Choice, which diverted from Manchester,” she said.
The news about Birmingham is interesting as currently, the airport cannot handle departing heavy aircraft such as the 747 at maximum takeoff weight due to its runway length, but it does have a planning application submitted to Solihull Borough Council for an extension. If successful, the airport says it could operate long-haul aircraft with no payload restrictions.
And with Birmingham unexpectedly handling thousands of extra passengers, dozens of coaches are being laid on to transport customers on to their final destinations.
”The Birmingham team has really pulled together this morning and as well as welcoming diverted passengers, we”ve even got a few flights away a little earlier than scheduled,” said head of corporate affairs John Morris.