Flight services to and from Heathrow airport partially resume

City fliers visiting London and those grounded by the snowstorm at the Heathrow airport got a breather as flight movements partially resumed on Monday after the two-day closure.

City fliers visiting London and those grounded by the snowstorm at the Heathrow airport got a breather as flight movements partially resumed on Monday after the two-day closure.

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A Mumbai-bound Kingfisher flight, left the UK capital on Monday while the one headed to Delhi was cancelled because local supplies to clear ice accumulated on the aircraft had been exhausted. Two other flights operated by the Indian carrier were diverted to UK airfields on Sunday and left for Heathrow airport on Monday.

Air India operated its Delhi-London flight on schedule partially clearing the backlog of passengers stranded due to cancellation of Sunday flights. However, it cancelled two other flights. Jet Airways will operate four flights to and from London on Tuesday.

“The situation is slightly better with airlines operating some flights,” said Anup Kanuga, owner of Bathija Travels.

But the forecast of heavy snowfall on Thursday and Friday is worrying travellers stuck in London or Europe. “Travel within Europe is still not smooth. Worst affected are those who booked vacations on their own,” said Ajay Prakash, president of the Travel Agents Federation of India.

Sreevats Bhagwat, a Wadala-based businessman, fears that his maiden white Christmas plans might get white washed. “My agent is constantly in touch with hotels and the local tour operator in Europe. We are hoping the weather will improve,” said Bhagwat, who is scheduled to leave for London on Thursday.