Bristol Airport disruption a 'shambles' as flights restart

Widespread disruption continues at Bristol Airport after a runway defect saw all flights suspended.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded after the airport’s runway was closed from 18:00 BST on Friday until 08:00 on Saturday. While the runway has since reopened, the airport’s website says the majority of flights are delayed or cancelled.

A spokesperson for the airport apologised for any inconvenience caused and advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.

Dave Blackwell, travelling home from the Greek island of Rhodes, said it had been “a shambles” since his flight back to Bristol was diverted to Newcastle.

“We were in Rhodes Airport for three hours with no information. Now we have all been told our flight is going to Newcastle and then a five or six-hour bus ride – why Newcastle? How appalling,” he said.

No details on the nature of the runway defect have been released, but a spokesperson for the airport told the BBC it did not involve any aircraft.

“We carry out regular inspections of the runway and that was when a defect was identified,” they added.

They said repairs were carried out overnight.

A number of people spoke to the BBC on Friday evening about their experience at the airport – among them Paul Smith, who was due to fly to Glasgow for his son’s 20th birthday but had to cancel his trip.

He said: “The communication, advice and support for passengers has been really poor.”

Finn Holland, 18, who was stranded in Bournemouth after his plane to Bristol was redirected, said: “It was quite a long day. We got in around 06:00 this morning.”

He added: “We had to sort our own taxis back. It wasn’t very organised”.

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