 Poster: A snowHead
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Not sure whether anyone else has already posted this, but Bristol Airport has today basically closed down until futher notice. Only a couple of small airlines are currently landing there.
The problem started this morning with EasyJet, whose pilots decided to refuse to land there, following concerns about skidding in the wet on the newly surfaced runway. Most other airlines have now followed suit, and flights are being diverted to other airports and passengers being bussed.
There was an incident before Xmas when a plane left the runway, and other flights were diverted, though I'm not sure whether this was related or not. Easyjet flights that I was on recently twice had to hold overhead until a rain shower had passed.
It is not clear how and when this will be resolved - I have heard on the grapevine that the airport may be totally closed until further notice, ie probably until the runway is re-surfaced to the airlines' satisfaction.
Here is the link to the latest departure info - http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/flight_information/departures_board.aspx
Interesting...
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 5-01-07 18:01; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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thanks for that - had no idea that there were issues with the runway
Hope the problems resolved soon - and in particular by Jan 20th!!!!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have a visitor flying from Bristol on WEdnesday. Just checked easyjet and they are still selling tickets on that flight, even though most flights today were cancelled, with a few domestics transferred to Cardiff. Hum. Better send my visitor an email and alert him. Surely they can't continue to run a service which is cancelled any time it rains?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| mountain mad wrote: |
thanks for that - had no idea that there were issues with the runway
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Part of the runway has been resurfaced and they haven't had time to cut grooves into the tarmac to help with grip in the wet. It's like driving with slick tyres on your car - great in the dry but lethal in the wet.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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GROAN
my 11 year old is flying into Bristol from Geneva tomorrow - and they can't bus him as he's an UM (unless they come with him?)
had a quick look and it appears that all international easyjet flights are cancelled  with internal flights diverting to Cardiff.
thanks for the heads up - and I can look forward to an interesting Saturday as attempts are made to locate an 11 year old boy + bag + skis + boots who's woken up in the wrong airport!
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is this 'groove cutting' planned to take place anytime soon?
I called EJ - they said not to worry - short term problem only......
fly out 17 feb - now wondering if i should arrange a different flight
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Apparently they started a 5 month re-surfacing programme in October, so are approx 2/3rds way through. They are carrying it out overnight bit by bit, rather than closing the airport totally for a shorter period.
A pilot being interviewed on Radio Bristol just said that they still need to apply the top layer of tarmac in the middle section, then the grooves, and that it will be unsafe in the wet until all this is done. Under their original schedule that would still take about a further 2 months of night work, though I imagine that plan will now be revised.
They also announced on the radio that most if not all flights will be diverted or cancelled, initially for the next 3 days.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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shockingmoment,
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fly out 17 feb - now wondering if i should arrange a different flight
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group of us flying out next friday ,hoping it is sorted by then..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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At least the only problem I had flying into Bristol with the fog was that the pilot couldn't see the taxiway once he had landed so had to wait for a vehicle with flashing lights onto to come along and guide him to the gate, getting the plane on the ground was of course no problem.
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You know it makes sense.
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Bristol - Geneva flights tomorrow will fly from Cardiff. People still to report in at Bristol and will be transferred to Cardiff by bus
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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The comments on the pilots' website link, about safety at Bristol, make for chilling reading. The MD, Mr Skipp, should surely resign, and the airport be closed until further notice. I, for one, will not be flying from there until the various issues raised by the pilots have been resolved.
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FAQ
12 of us flying out to chamberry on saturday, i hope to god its sorted by then, how could they be so stupid, surely they must have known this would happen?! 
