A Glasgow British Airways flight bound for London was forced to make a dramatic U-turn just minutes from landing. Flight 8721 left Glasgow Airport at 7.54am today - over an hour after the scheduled 6.30am departure - and was due to land at London City Airport after 9am.
Despite the delay setting off, the plane appeared on track as it headed down south and began its approach to the UK capital. But as it drew closer to London City Airport, it was met with Air Traffic Control Restrictions and was abruptly diverted by pilots.
The aircraft held for 35 minutes near London but then was forced return north of the border to Glasgow. It is understood the U-turn was due to the thick fog.
Flight tracker data showed the plane touched down in the Scots city around 10.24am - two-and-a-half hours after leaving the same airport.
The mercury in London dropped to lows of -4C last night causing icy mist and leading to more than 20 flights being axed. Flights arriving from Glasgow were expect to be held up. Flights from Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Dusseldorf and Rotterdam were also cancelled.
British Airways confirmed the flight managed to make it to London later in the day after the fog cleared, and issued an apology to passengers for the inconvenience caused.
A spokesperson said: "We’re sorry that due to Air Traffic Control restrictions, caused by fog, our customers’ journeys to London City this morning were delayed."
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