Passenger planes were reportedly forced to abort landings at Manchester Airport in Storm Eunice's fierce swirling winds today (February 18).
It's understood one flight was forced to continue north to Glasgow Airport as a result.
And passengers reported a Ryanair flight from Fuerteventura to Manchester diverted to Bordeaux in France - 850 miles away - because of the stormy weather.
Manchester Airport reported dozens of cancelled flights - 46 in total both outbound and inbound - but said the bulk were 'preemptive'.
Many cancellations were also thought to be due to adverse weather at a flight's point of origin, rather than conditions in Manchester.
A spokesman said the airport was operating a normal, although the ongoing situation would be monitored.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium said at least 436 flights due to take off or land at UK airports were cancelled on Friday.
They said Heathrow suffered the worst flight disruption, with a fifth of all flights cancelled.
That was followed by London City (16 per cent) and Manchester (10 per cent).
It came as more than 200,000 people tuned in to a YouTube channel livestreaming aircraft battling with high winds as they attempt to land at London’s Heathrow Airport.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "Manchester Airport continues to operate as normal, and we will monitor the situation throughout the afternoon and evening.
"A number of airlines have preemptively cancelled or rearranged their flights today for a variety of reasons.
"As always, we advise passengers to stay in contact with their airline for the most up-to-date status of their flight.
"We are also strongly encouraging passengers to allow extra time for their journey to the airport today, and throughout the weekend, given the likelihood of ongoing disruption, including on road and rail networks."
There were reports across the country of planes struggling to land at airports due to the high winds, with many being diverted or requiring several attempts before touching down.
Passengers on easyJet flight EJU8014 from Bordeaux to Gatwick endured two aborted landings before the plane was put in a holding pattern over the south coast and then forced to return to the French city.
It touched down back at its starting point more than three hours after it departed.
British Airways flight BA296 from the US city of Chicago was due to land at Heathrow but was diverted to Geneva, Switzerland.
So-called 'go-arounds' are a common manoeuvre.
It's a standard landing procedure to take the plane around for another go at approaching the runway.
Skilled pilots are often forced to use the procedure if they experience a late, sudden gust of wind, which conditions such as today's brought.
Several planes reached the skies above their arrival airport, but were forced to return to their starting points.
They include an easyJet flight from Bordeaux, France, to Gatwick, a British Airways flight from Edinburgh to Heathrow and a Lufthansa flight from Munich to Heathrow.
