Bristol airport travel chaos as flights delayed due to runway defect

Passengers are facing travel chaos at Bristol airport after a runway defect suspended operations for hours leading to cancellations and delays.

Passengers were left stranded on Friday after the airport’s runway was closed at around 6pm. It remained shut, with no flights coming in or out, until 8am on Saturday, but operations have now resumed.

Though the runway has reopened, passengers are now facing hours of delays, with multiple flights affected.

An updated statement on the airport’s website said: “Flights have resumed at Bristol Airport this morning. There will be some disruption to some flights today and customers are advised to refer to their airlines with any flight queries. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Earlier, the airport said that it had suspended operations to assess and repair a “defect on the runway.”

If you have been affected by the runway closure at Bristol airport, please get in touch by emailing daniel.haygarth@independent.co.uk

Among the many flights to be delayed this morning, according to the airport’s online departures board, are the 5.55am service to Faro, which is scheduled to take off at 10.40am, and the 6.20am flight to Menorca, which is expected to depart at 11.30am.

Cancelled or delayed flights: What are my rights to a refund? Check here

Paul Smith, who was due to fly to Glasgow on Friday for his son’s 20th birthday but had to cancel the holiday, told the BBC: “The communication, advice and support for passengers has been really poor”.

Mr Smith said there were no announcements for more than an hour on Friday and claimed that he was only getting information from EasyJet staff in the departure lounge.

On X, responding to a passenger asking if flights have been cancelled today, airline Jet2 said: “Our flights have not been cancelled. They are currently delayed, and are expected to fly later today when the runway re-opens.”