All flights to and from Bristol Airport have been suspended until at least 6am on Saturday after a defect was discovered on the runway, prompting the airport to temporarily halt operations for safety checks and emergency repairs.
The disruption has also affected incoming services, with flights being diverted to other airports including London Gatwick, Birmingham and Cardiff, according to Airport Webcams, which monitors airport activity.
The airport said operations were suspended as a precaution while the affected section of the runway was inspected and repaired. It apologised to passengers for the disruption and advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for information about their flights.
The sudden shutdown left passengers facing significant disruption, with some reporting long waits, confusion and difficulties retrieving their luggage. Richard Broadbent, who was travelling with his partner and daughter for a flight to Newcastle, said passengers were moved to a crowded area after flights were cancelled.
He told the BBC that alarms later sounded and passengers began screaming, while he claimed there were few staff available to provide assistance. Another passenger, Paul Smith, was due to travel to Glasgow for his son’s 20th birthday but said his journey had to be cancelled.
Smith also criticised the communication provided to passengers, saying there had been no announcements over the airport’s public address system for more than an hour. He said airline representatives in the departure lounge were the main source of information for stranded travellers.
Some passengers also took to social media to express their frustration, with one EasyJet customer complaining about being unable to leave the airport and describing the communication as poor. Another passenger said they had been waiting for several hours without clear guidance on what was happening.
EasyJet warned passengers travelling to and from Bristol Airport to expect disruption as a result of the runway issue.
Bristol Airport said safety remained its top priority and confirmed that flights were suspended until at least 6am on Saturday while repair work was carried out. Travellers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest information before making their way to the airport.
