BELFAST-LEEDS FLIGHT DELAYED AS BELFAST CITY AIRPORT RUNS OUT OF DE-ICER FLUID

Flight delays at George Best Belfast City Airport

Flight delays at George Best Belfast City Airport

PASSENGERS heading out of the George Best Belfast City Airport were delayed on Tuesday morning.

The 7 am flight from Belfast to Leeds was still on the runway at 9 am after the overnight snow.

Those on board have been told by cabin crew that the de-icer machine had run out of fluid.

One business passenger jokingly told Belfast Daily: “I think one of the maintenance men has nipped down to the garage to get more de-icer fluid!!!!

“We have been sitting on the runway since 7 am. We still don’t know what time we will be taking off at.

“It is ridiculous. One flurry of snow and the airport can’t function properly.

“Some of the passengers got so fed up that they have got off as there is still no sign of of us moving.

“Because of the delay people have missed business appointments.”

The Belfast to Leeds flight eventually took off and landed just after 11.30 am.

Added the passenger: “We landed safely. But it was a mad flight. It felt like we flew upside most of the way.”

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for Northern Ireland on Tuesday which is expected to last until 3pm, although that is subject to change.

Snow and ice remains in place across the province with drivers being urged to exercise caution and allow extra times for their journeys on Tuesday morning.

Snow, wintry showers and strong winds hit the region on Monday night with the Roads Service’s salting programme ongoing.

Heavy overnight flurry of snow in Glengormley, Co Antrim

Heavy overnight flurry of snow in Glengormley, Co Antrim

Snow ploughs were used in some of the worst affected areas including Newry, the north Antrim coast and glens and the Craigantlet Hills in Belfast.

The Roads Service are describing all main through routes as passable with care.

“Drivers are advised to exercise caution particularly on untreated roads,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, there has been a two vehicles have crashed on the M2 northbound at Junction Two, Greencastle. It is believed both collisions occurred due to the adverse weather.

The motorway is down to one lane and motorists approaching the crash are asked to obey motorway signage, reduce speed and pass with care.

Elsewhere, Translink are reporting delays of up to 60 minutes for all their Metro services in Belfast. Trains are currently not affected.

Elsewhere, the Southern Education and Library Board has been badly hit by schools closures.

In the Newry area, the following schools are closed – St Joseph’s CoventPrimary School, CloughogePrimary School, MullaglassPrimary School, St Patrick’s Nursery and Primary School, St Malachy’s Primary School, Carnagat, St Joseph’s BoysHigh School, Our Lady’s Grammar, Sacred Heart Grammar, St Mary’s High School, and Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar.

In the south Armagh area, the following schools are closed – St Patrick’s Primary School, Cullyhanna, St Michael’s Primary School , Newtownhamilton, St Mary’s Primary School, Granemore, DarkleyPrimary School, DrominteePrimary School, Killeavy, DrumhilleryPrimary School, Middletown, St Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Forkhill and St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook.

Picturesque Hillsborough Lake in Co Down

Picturesque Hillsborough Lake in Co Down

In the south Down area, the following schools are closed – Holy Cross Primary School, Attical (Kilkeel), St Patrick’s Primary School , Drumgreenagh, Castlewellan Primary School, Castlewellan, Brackenagh West Primary School, Kilkeel, Moneydarragh Primary School, Annalong, Clontifleece Primary School, Warrenpoint, St Patrick’s Primary School, Mayobridge and St Mark’s High School, Warrenpoint.

 

 

 

 

 

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