Airports across Britain were battling to reopen today after blizzard conditions caused havoc for thousands of travellers.
Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham and Southampton airports were shut overnight as heavy snow and freezing weather paralysed operations.
A statement on Gatwick airport's website said: “The runway at Gatwick Airport is currently closed for snow clearance...We are working closely with our airline and business partners to reopen the runway as soon as it is safe to do so".
“Passengers travelling to and from Gatwick in the next 24 hours should contact their airline for the latest flight information.”
Luton Airport said flights were temporarily suspended, while Birmingham’s runway was also closed overnight because of heavy snow.
The airport said that while it expected the runway to reopen later, passengers should expect delays.
London’s Heathrow Airport was open today but a spokeswoman said delays and cancellations were inevitable due to the weather conditions.
Hundreds were stranded at Stansted after snow forced airport officials to shut the runway. Scores queued for information and passengers wanting to speak to staff at a Ryanair desk were told told to expect a two to three-hour wait.
Officials at the airport in Essex said more than 20 flights were cancelled and more than 20 incoming planes diverted. They advised travellers to contact airlines for information about rebooking and compensation.
Passengers were handed leaflets telling them to look on Ryanair websites for information and many spent the day trying to find alternative ways of travelling.
Bristol International Airport was closed until around 10am after heavy snow overnight. Exeter International Airport also closed its runway and suspended services this morning. Glasgow Airport said it was open, but warned passengers to expect delays.
A number of services into Aberdeen Airport were cancelled, and there were delays and cancellations at Leeds Bradford Airport and delays at Robin Hood Airport in South Yorkshire.
Some flights were able to operate early today at Southampton Airport, but heavy snow caused operations to cease at 9am. Airport officials said they hoped flights could start again at around noon.
At Manchester Airport, a number of flights were cancelled, including services to Dublin, Frankfurt and Brussels.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said it was liaising with Network Rail and preparing to run “ghost” trains and de-icer trains overnight to keep the tracks and overhead cables free of snow and ice.
Hundreds of drivers were stuck overnight on the A3 in Hampshire, with many others elsewhere in the county forced to abandon their vehicles.
The military was called in after up to 1,000 vehicles became stranded when snow blocked the A3 motorway. Many of those stuck were evacuated to rescue centres while others remained in their vehicles overnight.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings across the entire country, predicting that up to 40 cm of snow (16 inches) could fall in the home counties and London by the end of today.
PA