Operations have resumed at Bristol Airport following a runway defect that caused widespread disruption and left hundreds of passengers stranded.
The runway was closed shortly after 18:00 BST on Friday, forcing the suspension of all flights until 08:00 on Saturday.
Although departures have now restarted, passengers are still facing delays, while some flights have been diverted to other airports.
The airport, in a brief statement on its website, warned passengers to expect further disruption.
“There will be some disruption to some flights today. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The airport has not provided further details about the nature of the runway defect.
It advised passengers affected by the disruption to contact their respective airlines.
The disruption has caused frustration among travellers, with some describing the handling of the situation as chaotic.
Paul Smith, who had planned to travel to Glasgow for his son’s 20th birthday, cancelled his trip after the disruption. He criticised the airport’s handling of the situation, saying, “The communication, advice and support for passengers has been really poor.”
Another passenger, Dave Blackwell, was returning from Rhodes in Greece when his flight 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.
Eighteen-year-old Finn Holland was also affected after his flight to Bristol was redirected to Bournemouth.
He eventually arrived at around 06:00 on Saturday.
“It was quite a long day. We got in around 06:00 this morning,” he said.
He added, “we had to sort our own taxis back. It wasn’t very organised”.
Bristol Airport has apologised for the inconvenience and said passengers affected by the disruption should liaise directly with their airlines as flights continue to operate.
