PASSENGERS were hit with travel chaos after British Airways chopped flights at Heathrow Airport amid Storm Lilian and 80mph winds.
The airline has cancelled a number of flights at the major London airport ahead of the Bank Holiday as Storm Lilian looms.
Passengers have been hit with travel chaos after British Airways chopped flights at Heathrow Airport
ZenpixHolidaymakers queuing at Manchester Airport this morning[/caption]
LNPA Jet2 aircraft is blown sideways as it takes off this morning from Leeds Bradford airport[/caption]
It comes as the Met Office issued three yellow weather warnings across the UK this morning as the storm makes landfall.
A number of international and domestic trips to holiday hotspots have been axed.
Flights to Barcelona, Rome, Paris, and Basel were cancelled this morning, while journeys to Palma, Doha, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Munich have been delayed.
Those travelling domestic to Glasgow, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Manchester also saw their plans squashed.
Punishing queues have also been spotted forming at Manchester Airport as stormy weather continues to wreak havoc.
A British Airways spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: “Due to restrictions imposed by Air Traffic Control at Heathrow Airport as a result of forecast adverse weather tomorrow, we’ve made some minor adjustments to our schedule.
“We’ve apologised to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans and our teams are working to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible.”
Winds of up to 80mph are expected to push eastwards this morning – sparking delays on the M6, A66, and A1(M).
The Met Office put a wind warning in place over north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland until 11am.
A yellow rain warning is also in force for south west Scotland and Aberdeenshire until 9am.
Bank Holiday travellers have also been struck with chaos on major motorways this morning.
Queues have been spotted forming at the Port of Dover ahead of the long weekend.
And, a number of roads have been blocked in Greater Manchester this morning with Metrolink lines suspended amid strong winds brought by Storm Lilian.
Drivers have been warned to take extra care on the roads this morning, with an issue already reported on the M6 motorway.
A tree has fallen across the carriageway on the northbound side between J19 and J20, near the exit for the M56.
A number of trees were also reported to have fallen in Bradford with parts of the M1 held up by “debris” on the road.
Meanwhile, the M48 Severn Bridge has been closed in both directions due to the storm.
Road users are advised to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternate route.
Almost all Metrolink lines have been suspended “due to the storm bringing down multiple trees across the network”.
The Bee Network said: “Due to severe weather conditions, services are running between Rochdale – Victoria and Airport – Sale Water Park.
“All other lines are currently suspended. Customers can use tickets and passes on any Bee Network services or Stagecoach services. Please check back for updates.”
Another post from the Bee Network warned: “Storm Lilian – a @metoffice yellow weather warning is in place for strong winds until 11:00. If you’re travelling on the network this morning, please plan ahead and take extra care.”
National Highways said: “#StormLilian is coming. Strong winds could impact the region overnight into Friday morning. Slow down to minimise the impact of wind gusts. Be aware of high sided vehicles on more exposed roads.”
It comes after the RAC estimated 19.2 million leisure trips by car would be made over the weekend, with 3.2 million on Friday alone.
This is highest since the motoring services company began recording data for the summer bank holiday in 2015.
RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said the adverse weather and large volume of expected trips represented “a perfect storm” for drivers.
She said: “Anyone driving in areas impacted by Storm Lilian should try to avoid exposed coasts and higher routes where there’s a greater chance of fallen branches and trees. It’s vital to lower your speeds and leave plenty of extra stopping distance to allow yourself time to react quickly.
“Drivers should keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and take extra care when passing high-sided vehicles which can cause an unnerving buffeting effect when you’re suddenly hit by the wind on the other side.”
Train services have also been hit with disruption this morning.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “We are closely monitoring the potential impact that the storm might have on the rail network.
“We have teams on hand to put in appropriate measures, if necessary, to ensure that we can continue to run trains safely and as reliably as possible.”
According to National Rail, the storm was so strong it knocked over a tree in Newington, Kent, which has been left blocking the railway.
As it was careening along the tracks, a train ploughed into the tree and “sustained significant damage”.
National Rail confirmed delays on the railway between Wrexham General and Chester until 10.30am.
Meanwhile a tree is blocking the railway between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway and cancellations are expected until 12pm.
Delays should also be factored into journeys between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, Crewe and Stafford, Okehampton and Exeter St Davids and around Coleshill Parkway.
It comes amid Met Office warned Brits some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.
The flying debris poses a “danger to life” along with large waves on the sea front, forecasters said.
Met Office expert Jason Kelly said: “Storm Lilian will bring some potentially damaging gusts during Friday morning.
“Gusts will be widely in the 50-60mph range, with the possibility of some gusts in excess of 75mph in a few places.
“There’s associated rainfall with Lilian that has also resulted in a Met Office warning for parts of Scotland.
“Within the warning area, another 50mm of rain is possible over high ground, with 20-30mm falling quite widely.
“Much of this is falling on saturated ground so increases the chance of some surface water flooding.”
Axed British Airways flights
British Airways BA BA472 at 6.15 am to Barcelona
British Airways BA1430 at 6.15am to Edinburgh
British Airways BA552 at 6.50am to Rome
British Airways BA304 at 7.10am to Paris
British Airways BA1472 at 7.10am to Glasgow
British Airways BA1304 at 7.30am to Aberdeen
British Airways BA752 at 8.15am to Basel
British Airways BA1370 at 8.45am to Manchester
American Airlines AA173 at 9.30am to Raleigh
British Airways BA285 at 10.10am to San Fransisco
British Airways BA560 at 11.45am to Rome
British Airways BA1412 at 12.10pm to Belfast
Delayed flights
British Airways BA494 at 1.35pm to Palma
British Airways BA127 at 2.05pm to Doha
British Airways BA171 at 5.05 to Pittsburgh
British Airways BA099 at 5.05pm to Toronto
British Airways BA958 at 8.20pm to Munich
British Airways BA574 at 10.25am to Milan
Swiss International Airlines LX317 at 8.40 to Zurich
Swiss International Airlines LX353 at 8.55am to Geneva
British Airways BA484 at 9am to Newcastle Upon Tyne
British Airways BA572 at 9.05am to Milan
American Airlines AA731 at 9.15am to Charlotte
British Airways BA712 at 9.20am to Zurich
British Airways BA728 at 9.35am to Geneva
British Airways BA1420 at 9.40am to Belfast
British Airways BA496 at 9.50am to Palma
British Airways BA384 at 10.05am to Cairo
ZenpixA number of international and domestic trips to holiday hotspots have been axed[/caption]
i-ImagesLong queues forming at the Port of Dover this morning[/caption]
The Met Office has issued three yellow weather warnings across the UK