Hi °C | Lo °C An Ulster student was just one of hundreds of travellers delayed by at least five hours after almost all the flights due to take off and land at Belfast City Airport were diverted or cancelled yesterday because of freezing fog.
Vicky Hunter from Bangor was flying with a Ryanair flight from Belfast City Airport to Nottingham which had been due to leave at 2.30pm. However, it took off from Belfast International Airport after 7pm. Passengers for scores of other flights were also bussed to the International Airport yesterday while many of the other flights were cancelled and a flight bound for the City Airport was forced to land in Dublin.
The passengers for the Nottingham flights were taken by bus to the International Airport at around 3.30pm.
Vicky told the Belfast Telegraph there was a further delay at the International Airport over de-icer for the extra diverted flights at Aldergrove.
“We could not take off until the wings had been de-iced, however, we were told the airport wouldn’t let us have de-icer,” she said.
“We were all wondering what was going to happen but they managed to get enough de-icer and we took off just after 7pm.”
A spokeswoman for Belfast International Airport would not confirm a shortage of deicer but said its priority was ensuring its scheduled flights departed on time.
“We have taken diversions since 2.30pm, the de-icing is the responsibility of the airline handling agent. While we try to be fair to everyone, scheduled traffic will take priority,” she said.
