Snow go as flights are held up

SNOW in the UK and Jersey disrupted flights yesterday as the rush for Christmas breaks got under way.

There was eight inches of snow at Gatwick overnight resulting in two-hour delays on flights. It remained closed until 7.30am.

Jersey Airport was closed while the snow was cleared from the runway, causing delays and diversions. Staff had been on stand-by with de-icing equipment from 3am.

'We are experiencing some delays,' said deputy airport director Simon Macphail.

'We are expecting the airport to be open quite late tonight. It's looking like our last departure for Gatwick will be 10.30pm. We are looking at a two-and-a-half hour delay.

'The weather should not affect Guernsey tomorrow morning.'

Georgina Payne, 33, was waiting with her sons, Dylan, 8, and Owen, 9. They were due to fly to Birmingham to stay with family, but the flight was grounded in Jersey.

'It was meant to go at 10.25am,' she said. 'But Jersey Airport has been closed for an hour. We got here at 9.30am. The kids are frustrated. The boredom is too much for them.'