Heathrow cancels 50pc of flights as snow and ice blanket Britain

Half of all flights have been axed at Britain's busiest airport - hours after it stopped snowing.

More planes were grounded today at London's Heathrow airport following yesterday's adverse weather and the airport's decision to axe 30 per cent of its flights.

The decision came as wintry showers ceased across the country and forecasters predicted dry conditions and a partial thaw.

A spokesman for Heathrow said the move was designed to minimise disruption and in anticipation of possible freezing fog.

While the runways, taxiways and stands have been cleared of snow, only 50 per cent of the 1,300 scheduled flights are now going ahead.

But the airport insisted its "snow plan" had worked "far better" than in previous years.

A spokesman said the airport - which operates at 99.2 per cent capacity - was "getting back to normal" as it worked to clear the backlog of flights.

"We took the decision with airlines and air traffic control yesterday to reduce the flight schedule in advance," the spokesman said.

"By cancelling flights in advance airlines have been able to rebook some people on to flights that are departing, and passengers have had better quality information about whether they can fly or not."

extra staff were being drafted into terminals to help passengers rebook flights.

While there is no further snowfall expected today, freezing fog was forecast from 6pm, the airport said.

Heathrow's usual flight schedule is due to operate tomorrow but passengers were warned there may still be cancellations because of today's disruption, with aircraft and crew needing to be repositioned.

Travellers were advised to check the status of their flights ahead of departure. At the airport, free sandwiches and roll-mats were handed out as people bedded down for the night.

A full schedule of flights is planned for Gatwick Airport, but passengers were warned of possible disruptions because of the weather.

Stansted, Birmingham and Luton airports were forced to suspend operations for a period last night as snow piled up on the runways, but operations resumed today with some delays.

Snow fell over Scotland, northern England and the Midlands yesterday before moving down to London and East Anglia.