Manchester Airport cancellations latest as Storm Eowyn sparks a day of havoc
Wind gusts of 100mph were recorded in parts of the UK
Flights from Manchester Airport were cancelled or delayed as Storm Eowyn's pounding winds blasted across the UK today (January 24).
Wind gusts reached 100mph as the storm left one person dead, more than a million people without power and caused significant travel disruption across the UK and Ireland. Rail services, flights and ferries have been cancelled across the country as rare red weather warnings remain in place in Scotland.
Manchester Airport confirmed several cancellations on Friday. But as no weather warnings now remain in force in Greater Manchester, an airport spokesperson said they were not expecting any weather related disruption at the airport on Saturday.
A number of flights to Belfast and Dublin from Manchester were cancelled on Friday morning, including the 7.40am Ryanair RK191 flight to Belfast Aldergrove, the 7.45am Ryanair FR553 flight to Dublin and the 9.30am Ryanair FR555 flight to Dublin.
The airport had previously issued a statement to passengers travelling when the storm was expected to hit warning that disruption was likely. In a post on X, a spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: "High winds are expected across the UK tomorrow due to Storm Eowyn. If you are due to travel from Manchester Airport, please check with your airline for up-to-date flight information.
Manchester Airport (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
"Road and rail services may also be impacted, so please allow extra time and care for your journey to the airport. The safety of our passengers is always our top priority."
Travellers on Saturday, however, are being advised to leave more time to make their way to the airport due to potential disruption to train and tram services.
A flight approaching Manchester Airport was forced to abort a landing attempt due to the windy conditions. Ryanair flight RK3227 from Oslo had been making a final approach. After performing a go-around, a standard procedure, the plane eventually managed to land safely.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority, meanwhile, issued a statement reminding airlines they have a duty to passengers who face severe disruption.
A spokesperson from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Storm Eowyn is likely to bring considerable disruption to many looking to fly from UK airports today. If a flight faces lengthy delays, airlines have a duty of care to look after their passengers, including providing food and drink, and accommodation if overnight.
A fallen tree in Scotland (Image: Andrew Neil)
"We will not hesitate to take action against any airlines not following these guidelines.”
According to Aviation analytics company Cirium, about 20 per cent of all flights scheduled to operate to or from airports in the UK or Ireland were cancelled on Friday.
A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said on Friday: “Although we are not experiencing disruption to our operation as a result of storm Eowyn, some airlines have cancelled a small number of flights to destinations more significantly affected. Passengers due to fly from Manchester Airport today should make sure they regularly check the status of their flights with their airlines.
"Due to the potential for disruption on the wider transport network, we also advise passengers to check for disruption on their routes to the airport before they leave the house and to allow extra time for their journeys. Our teams – including our dedicated resilience team and our customer service colleagues – are on hand, as always, to help passengers in the event of any disruption.”
Flights from Manchester to other destinations, including to Scotland and the Isle of Man, were also hit today.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland, meanwhile, described the storm as an 'exceptional weather event' and said it was expected to bring the strongest winds seen in the country since 1998.
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