Heathrow closure latest: First flights to leave tonight announced; No 10 says 'questions to answer' over shutdown
Passengers diverted to Manchester facing long wait for return coach to Heathrow
Our North of England correspondent Katie Barnfield is at Manchester Airport, which accepted five diverted flights this morning that were originally heading for Heathrow. Among those are flights travelling from Nairobi, New York and Dubai.
Barnfield has spoken to passengers who left the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and were initially told they were heading to Gatwick.
They were then diverted to Brussels, where they were held on the asphalt for four hours before flying up to Manchester.
Airlines are trying to organise coaches to drive passengers to London, though it appears people could be waiting a while.
"One of the drivers of those coaches told me that the airlines have been calling around since 4.30am this morning trying to get as many drivers as they could to come here and pick up those passengers," Barnfield says.
"But he said that just weren't enough drivers available. As far as he was aware, nine coaches so far had been sent here to Manchester to pick up those passengers, but people could be waiting for quite a long time."
"In terms of a knock-on impact here at Manchester, it's not been too bad at the moment," she adds.
"But for those passengers who've been diverted here and suddenly found themselves 200 miles away from where they thought they would be in Heathrow, there is still a bit of a journey for them"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
Manchester Airport travel to get easier for holidaymakers in parts of North Wales
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Holidaymakers in northwest Wales could find it easier to reach Manchester Airport from next year. From May 2026 Transport for Wales is planning to extend its direct rail services from the airport to Holyhead via Bangor. At present, the aim is to include stops in Penmaenmawr, Conwy and Llanfairfechan. Transport for Wales has said the plans are 'subject to industry processes' with the May 2026 timetable yet to be validated. While the extended rail connections are potentially good news for some passengers, the service will be re-routed away from Deganwy and Llandudno. This was confirmed last month by transport minister Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport & North Wales, at Wales' first Public Transport Summit in Wrexham. Existing stations on the route include Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders lobbied Transport for Wales to ensure the three new stops were included in Conwy. She argued it would have been 'extremely frustrating' for local residents to have to travel to Bangor or Llandudno Junction to catch a direct train when they have stations on their doorsteps. Ms Finch-Saunders said there had been a possibility airport trains would not stop in Conwy town, which she described as 'one of the leading destinations and attractions of the whole of Wales'. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now She said: 'Over a quarter of a million visit Conwy Castle every year. Clearly, it is common sense for Conwy town to have a direct service to Manchester Airport. It will provide one of our nation's most important destinations with an international gateway, and enable even more to visit the area on public transport.' Transport for Wales (TfW) is seeking match funding for step-free access at Shotton and Ruabon stations. Residents in Penmaenmawr have pointed out there is also a need to improve access at the town's station if the new Manchester Airport service is to be a success. Online, frustrated travellers say they struggle to cross over the station bridge to the platform opposite – especially those with wheelchairs and prams. It's feared holidaymakers with heavy suitcases may also struggle. One mum said: 'I have to take my daughter out of her wheelchair, carry her round to the other side with my 3 year-old and leave them in the shelter unattended whilst I go back and get the wheelchair. Something needs to be done.' Another agreed: 'It is ridiculous trying to get over with children. I have to take my baby over with my 8 year-old then go back for the pram and it is dangerous. I am currently pregnant too and God knows how I will manage getting the train without another adult to help me. It is 21st century, there should be access for disabled people and families.' A man said this issue should be addressed so that 'people can get to work and hospital meetings before providing trains for people who can afford holidays'. Ms Finch-Saunders fought unsuccessfully to retain Llandudno on the Manchester Airport route. However TfW is aiming to introduce a new service from the resort to Liverpool next year. Other rail changes in the pipeline include a 50% increase in the number of services across the North Wales line from December 2026 to May 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Train services between Wrexham and Chester will be doubled in May 2026. There will also be a through service between Wrexham and Liverpool, with the longer-term goal of running four trains per hour by 2035. The aim is to create 'metro style' train services on the North Wales line and the Marches line from Chester to Wrexham. TfW is also examining options to re-open stations and build new stations in employment growth areas. A 'test' station' at Deeside Industrial Park is being considered to gauge demand for permanent services there. Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
10 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Manchester Airport travel to get easier for holidaymakers in parts of North Wales
Holidaymakers in northwest Wales could find it easier to reach Manchester Airport from next year. From May 2026 Transport for Wales is planning to extend its direct rail services from the airport to Holyhead via Bangor. At present, the aim is to include stops in Penmaenmawr, Conwy and Llanfairfechan. Transport for Wales has said the plans are 'subject to industry processes' with the May 2026 timetable yet to be validated. While the extended rail connections are potentially good news for some passengers, the service will be re-routed away from Deganwy and Llandudno. This was confirmed last month by transport minister Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport & North Wales, at Wales' first Public Transport Summit in Wrexham. Existing stations on the route include Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders lobbied Transport for Wales to ensure the three new stops were included in Conwy. She argued it would have been 'extremely frustrating' for local residents to have to travel to Bangor or Llandudno Junction to catch a direct train when they have stations on their doorsteps. Ms Finch-Saunders said there had been a possibility airport trains would not stop in Conwy town, which she described as 'one of the leading destinations and attractions of the whole of Wales'. She said: 'Over a quarter of a million visit Conwy Castle every year. Clearly, it is common sense for Conwy town to have a direct service to Manchester Airport. It will provide one of our nation's most important destinations with an international gateway, and enable even more to visit the area on public transport.' Transport for Wales (TfW) is seeking match funding for step-free access at Shotton and Ruabon stations. Residents in Penmaenmawr have pointed out there is also a need to improve access at the town's station if the new Manchester Airport service is to be a success. Online, frustrated travellers say they struggle to cross over the station bridge to the platform opposite – especially those with wheelchairs and prams. It's feared holidaymakers with heavy suitcases may also struggle. One mum said: 'I have to take my daughter out of her wheelchair, carry her round to the other side with my 3 year-old and leave them in the shelter unattended whilst I go back and get the wheelchair. Something needs to be done.' Another agreed: 'It is ridiculous trying to get over with children. I have to take my baby over with my 8 year-old then go back for the pram and it is dangerous. I am currently pregnant too and God knows how I will manage getting the train without another adult to help me. It is 21st century, there should be access for disabled people and families.' A man said this issue should be addressed so that 'people can get to work and hospital meetings before providing trains for people who can afford holidays'. Ms Finch-Saunders fought unsuccessfully to retain Llandudno on the Manchester Airport route. However TfW is aiming to introduce a new service from the resort to Liverpool next year. Other rail changes in the pipeline include a 50% increase in the number of services across the North Wales line from December 2026 to May 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Train services between Wrexham and Chester will be doubled in May 2026. There will also be a through service between Wrexham and Liverpool, with the longer-term goal of running four trains per hour by 2035. The aim is to create 'metro style' train services on the North Wales line and the Marches line from Chester to Wrexham. TfW is also examining options to re-open stations and build new stations in employment growth areas. A 'test' station' at Deeside Industrial Park is being considered to gauge demand for permanent services there.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
''I was advised to never wear a tracksuit to the airport again'
Having a cute airport outfit is vital for so many people. Looking sassy while you sit down for hours? A must. That's why I think a fashionable tracksuit is the best outfit you could opt for when you're travelling to another country. Chic and comfortable is a must. I want to be able to strut around duty-free, feeling good, getting my pre-flight prosecco, and knowing that I'm going to be the comfiest gal on that flight. No jeans marks here, ladies and gentlemen! So, that's why, when I flew from Manchester Airport to Palma last month, I knew my Juicy Couture tracksuit was a must-wear. It ticks all the boxes of comfort, cuteness, bling on the top and the bottom, and Y2K having its moment again, as a Zillennial, really means a lot to me. Of course, for maximum comfort, I paired it with my Uggs. Yes, I was flying to a hot country, but we were arriving at night, and the transfer had air conditioning, so it was fine. We dropped our bags off and made our way to security, breathing a sigh of relief that the queue wasn't long, despite the fact that we'd accidentally booked a holiday during half term (our adults-only hotel was uncharacteristically cheap, and we didn't ask questions). We were told at security that we could keep our jackets on and liquids in our bags, which is fantastic, but I'd already taken my jacket off and put it into the tray. The person handling the trays then asked me, 'Are your pants the same as this?' as they gestured to the diamante 'Juicy' on the back of my tracksuit top. 'Yes,' I said, as I turned around, and they could see it for themselves. They chuckled to themselves and said that I'd definitely be getting stopped when I passed through the scanners. Lo and behold, when I went through the scanner, something flagged, and it was my tracksuit. I was asked whether I had anything in my pocket, which I didn't, and then I was sent for my shoes to be checked. When I was walking away, the person working for security advised me not to wear my Juicy tracksuit to the airport again if I didn't want to be stopped. I must admit, this isn't the first time I've heard this advice, but it's too comfy and cute. To be honest, I've been stopped and searched to some extent at security every single time I go through - usually because of jewellery - so I think I would've set it off anyway. But I assumed that there wasn't any metal with the diamantes on the tracksuit and that it was all just plastic, but who knows. Anyway, I really don't mind being stopped at the airport when the person searching me is polite and friendly. I've definitely had some vile experiences with security staff at various airports across the world, but thankfully, when flying out of Manchester, they're usually pretty jovial and are just there to do their jobs, rather than behave like jobsworths. Someone on X referred to airport security as a 'humiliation ritual,' and while I have been made to feel like this in the past, it's definitely not commonplace. Although I can't lie, when waiting for security, I do get a little bit nervous to see how the person will treat me. I'm not the only person who has experienced this at an airport, either. Several women have taken to X to share their experiences of wearing Juicy Couture diamante items at the airport. One woman wrote: 'My bedazzled Juicy Couture track pants set off the airport security scanner and I had to get a pat down and an explosives test'. Someone else shared: 'I went through airport security in my Juicy Couture pants and the bum got flagged,' followed by a crying with laughter emoji. Manchester Airport has been contacted for comment.
