Cold snap disrupts flights from Heathrow

London: Heathrow Airport said it would operate a much reduced service on Sunday with snow and freezing temperatures predicted to hit much of England over the weekend.

Heavy snow is forecast overnight across central and southern England, with a possibility of up to 15cm falling in the London area. Temperatures were also not expected to climb above -2 degrees Celsius, leading to icy conditions.

As a result, just 70 per cent of normal services will operate from Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, operator BAA said in a statement yesterday.

"A further revised schedule with additional cancellations may be made on a rolling basis," BAA said. "We expect the percentage of passengers who are able to fly to be higher than 70 per cent as airlines will transfer people between flights."

An update on operating flights will be released later in the day.

"This decision ensures that the greatest number of passengers can fly with the minimum amount of disruption," said Heathrow Chief Operating Officer Normand Boivin.

London's Gatwick Airport said there was no change to its schedule yet but warned passengers to check with airlines and the airport. There was also a warning of potential disruption to services at London's Stansted airport but a spokeswoman said there were no planned cancellations now.