MIST FLIGHTS

HEAVY fog caused travel misery for thousands of travellers yesterday as dozens of flights were cancelled or delayed as people tried to get away for the New Year.

- PHIL CARRY

Poor visibility at Gatwick and Heathrow led to widespread air restrictions, which had knock-on effects on other airports.

Visibility was restricted to as little as 100 metres in some areas, the Met Office said.

The main air traffic control provider, NATS, said some airports continued to be affected by fog and that air restrictions would remain in places with low visibility.

At least 20 flights at Heathrow airport were cancelled yesterday, and another 29 delayed. At Gatwick, 26 were delayed and one cancelled.

This followed dozens of flights from airports across the UK being cancelled and hundreds delayed on Friday.

Travellers at Manchester airport were forced to sit on the floor of a crowded Terminal 3 while they waited for updates. Some passengers at Isle of Man airport were unable to return home for two days.