Christmas travel disrupted as high winds cancel flights and ferries
Anyone getting ready to travel for the festive period is being advised to check their journeys in advance
Last updated 21st Dec 2024
Flights and ferries are being cancelled across Scotland as a “perfect storm” of Christmas travellers and bad weather meet.
A Met Office weather warning for wind was put in place from 7am on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in the across the majority of the country, but up to 75mph for the very north.
P&O Ferries have cancelled all sailings between Cairnryan and Larne for at least 24hrs, while Stena Line have delayed their three Saturday afternoon services from Carinryan to Belfast, due to “worsening” and “severe” weather.
A P&O spokesperson said: “Due to adverse weather conditions, all P&O Ferries sailings between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled from 2000 tonight (21st December) until at least 2000 tomorrow night (22nd December).
"Please do not travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled"
“We ask our customers please not to travel to either of the ports if their sailing has been cancelled, to avoid causing traffic congestion."
CalMac has reported sailings on 21 of its routes are cancelled for the remainder of Saturday, with other services facing disruption.
Meanwhile, Northlink Ferries, which runs services between Aberdeen and the Orkney and Shetland isles, also reported disruption.
It said "adverse weather conditions" meant a sailing between Kirkwall on Orkney and Lerwick in the Shetland Isles was cancelled, along with sailings between Aberdeen and Lerwick, which were scheduled for Saturday evening.
Rail operator ScotRail announced that speed restrictions would be in place for part of the route between Glasgow and Oban/Mallaig, and the Inverness service to Kyle/Wick.
Services through Ayr, including from Glasgow Central, Kilmarnock, and Girvan, resumed after a tree fell on the line.
A small number of flights from Glasgow Airport have been affected, including some of those to Barra, Stornaway, and Benbecula.
It comes as Heathrow experiences a handful of cancellations due to “strong winds and airspace restrictions”.
However, a spokesperson said: “This will ensure the vast majority of passengers can still safely travel as planned.
"We know how important travel at this time of year is and have extra colleagues on hand in our terminals to support people on their journeys.
“We encourage passengers to check in with their airlines for the latest information about their flights."
"Perfect storm"
The AA predicted 23.7 million drivers would take to the roads across the UK on Friday as people get ready for Christmas, making it the biggest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.
It also projected Saturday would see 22.7 million drivers, and Sunday 21.3 million.
A spokesperson for the group said: "With more than 20 million car journeys expected on both Saturday and Sunday if the congestion wasn't enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm.
"We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users."