An international airport has issued a warning following a wave of flight disruptions caused by Storm Ashley, as reported by Wales Online. Over the past weekend, Britain experienced severe weather conditions with monstrous 82mph winds and flooding impacting various regions. The Met Office issued a rare ‘danger to life’ warning as thousands of homes were left without electricity and multiple flights were either cancelled or delayed.
The disruption included a number of Aer Lingus flights to Belfast and Dublin, as well as services by Ryanair and Loganair. Despite indications from Dublin Airport that services are gradually returning to normal, they cautioned that some delays were expected due to the aftermath of the storm. On social media, the airport advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates on their flights, acknowledging that some flights had already been cancelled for the day.
Following the storm, more than 100 flood warnings are in effect across the UK, including alerts in England, Scotland, and Wales. While Storm Ashley is forecasted to move away from the northeast, the Met Office expects blustery conditions to persist, particularly in the northern regions with heavy showers. Despite improvements in weather conditions, some areas may experience outbreaks of rain and patchy fog formation during the evening.
In total, airlines cancelled 81 flights, performed 39 go-arounds, and diverted 34 aircraft to alternative airports on Sunday. The airport authorities thanked passengers for their patience and the airport teams for their efforts during the challenging weather conditions. The aftermath of Storm Ashley serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and the resilience required to mitigate its impact on essential services such as air travel.