A MAJOR UK airport was forced to stop all flights to clear “heavy snow” from runways as the cold snap continues to batter Britain.
Manchester Airport‘s runways were temporarily blocked off this morning as teams desperately attempt to shift snow and ice.
Passengers’ travel plans were left in chaos as they were urged to check with airlines for updates on their flights.
The airport handles almost 75,000 passengers per day.
In a statement the airport said “The safety of our passengers is our top priority, and we appreciate your patience during this time.
“Please check with your airline for the latest flight information and allow extra time today.”
It confirmed the runways re-opened at 10am, saying: “As a result of the earlier closure, some departures and arrivals may still experience delays.”
It urged passengers to keep in touch with their airlines for the latest information and thanked workers for their “hard work in getting the runways operational again.”
It comes after the airport had to shut for three consecutive days at the start of this week.
And conditions are only expected to get worse as temperatures are predicted to plunge to minus 16C overnight.
The Met Office has warned the bitter drop on Thursday evening could impact parts of northern England.
A number of yellow weather warnings have been issued today – meaning there is a danger of injury from slips and falls and some disruption to travel expected.
Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, said it will be “bitterly cold” tonight.
He said the lowest temperatures will be recorded in rural Scotland and rural northern England where there is lying snow, cloudless skies and very cold airflow.
A temperature of minus 14C would equal the lowest seen in this month last year, recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on January 17 2024.
But a temperature of minus 16C would be the lowest recorded in January in the UK for 15 years, according to Met Office data.
