Passengers huddle in tents at airports

The misery continued today for thousands of fog-delayed passengers stuck at airports around the country.

Weather conditions this morning led to further flight cancellations by British Airways at Heathrow Airport.

Just after 7.00am an airline official, speaking over a tannoy to passengers huddled in tents outside Terminal 1, broke the news of around 20 further cancellations to destinations across Europe, including Stockholm, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Sophia, Madrid and Tripoli, with further cancellations expected this afternoon.

Hearing the announcement were accountants Dave and Terri Sidgwick, of Kennington, south London, who are hoping to spend Christmas in Cyprus.

Mr Sidgwick, 34, said they had been ushered into the drafty marquee at around 5.30am and their flight to Cyprus was still set to leave on time at around 8.30am as far as they knew.

“It is just a bit chaotic,” said Mr Sidgwick.

“We arrived at 05.30 and it was really not clear what was happening. A large notice board might help rather than customers having to approach terminal staff individually to each be told what to do and where to go.”

His wife added: “It’s very cold sat here.”

Inside the terminal building, the concourse was clogged and the cafes full, with many patrons slumped forward over tables in a bid to steel a few minutes’ sleep.