Flights cancelled at Northern airports
Passengers in Belfast’s two airports were today forced to make alternative travel plans as flights were cancelled following the UK terror alert.
The airports were affected as some airlines pulled flights and Heathrow stopped all incoming flights after a major terrorist plot to blow up 10 planes was foiled by the security services.
A total of eight flights to and from Belfast International Airport were cancelled and there were long queues facing frustrated commuters.
Among the services cancelled were easyJet flights to Amsterdam, to and from Liverpool and Gatwick, and to Luton.
At George Best City of Belfast Airport, passengers were told nine flights to London Heathrow and Gatwick had been scrapped and a flight to and from Stansted was also pulled.
Travellers at Belfast International were being advised today to arrive at least two hours earlier than normal.
At City of Derry Airport, passengers were also told that check-in for flights would close an hour before departure.
Stringent security measures were put in place, restricting what passengers could bring on board flights.
All hand luggage was reduced to bare essentials such as wallets, keys, glasses and prescription medicine and had to be carried in see-through plastic bags.
Other items were placed in the luggage hold.
Despite this, security staff at Belfast International were satisfied with the public’s response to the disruption.
A spokesman said: “There are delays in the system because we have to ensure that the regulation of the department of transport is complied with.
“Passengers have been pretty good and we have managed the queues.
“Throughout the day we expect peaks in delays like at lunchtime and teatime, but we hope people will heed the media warnings and come early enough.”
A spokesperson for George Best Belfast City Airport said queues at the check-in desks were moving well and information sheets were being handed out to passengers about what they could bring onto the plane.
“People are very understanding,” he said. “They are trying to understand the situation, which is beyond our control.”
