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British Airways is to cancel all UK domestic services from London Heathrow on Thursday following severe fog.

The firm said a significant number of European flights, including routes to Paris and Brussels served by the Eurostar, will also be grounded.

BA and other airlines cancelled more than 180 flights to and from Heathrow on Wednesday.

Some 18 Gatwick flights were affected as were services from Liverpool John Lennon and Cardiff International.

Airport operator BAA said 223 flights had been cancelled altogether.

BA said it plans to run about 220 shorthaul flights to and from London Heathrow on Thursday, out of a normal daily total of 400 shorthaul and domestic flights.

BBC transport correspondent Tom Symonds said BA had opted to cancel flights served by train services.

He added that thousands more passengers than Wednesday - about 20,000 more in total - are expected to arrive at Heathrow on Thursday.

Motorist problems

The BBC Weather Centre says the poor conditions are set to continue for the next few days when many people will be travelling for the festive break.

It warned that the weather was likely to cause problems for motorists in England and Wales right up to Christmas.

The fog has also caused delays for ferries docking at Pembroke port - with 160 passengers on Irish Ferries' Isle of Inishmore coming in 10 hours late.

The BA flights affected on Wednesday were in both directions between Heathrow and Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Newcastle.

Long-haul flights were still being operated by the airline, but with severe delays.

The airline said dense fog and low visibility had caused air traffic control to place restrictions on flights landing and taking off.

Flow rates were at 50% of normal capacity throughout Wednesday morning, affecting all carriers at the airport, after the spacing between planes in the air was increased from three miles to six miles.

A Heathrow spokesman said Lufthansa and Alitalia were among the other airlines affected.

At Cardiff International Airport, a number of flights were delayed or diverted to Bristol.

Several flights, including Easyjet flights, in and out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport were also cancelled.

Alternative arrangements

BA is urging customers due to travel on domestic flights to or from Heathrow not to travel to the airport on Thursday.

It said those on any cancelled service are able to rebook, re-route their ticket subject to availability or claim a refund.

BBC weatherman Darren Bett said: "The reason we've got fog is a large area of high pressure over the UK and trapped underneath is moist, low-level air which produces this fog and low cloud.

"The same area of high pressure will still be sitting over England and Wales on Christmas Day, so right until Christmas and even beyond there's the risk of fog."

The Association of British Travel Agents said about three million people are set to go abroad over Christmas and New Year, with southern Spain, north Africa, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and New York among the top destinations.

The peak day for travel is expected to be Friday.

BAA estimates two million people will be leaving through its seven UK airports, while about 230,000 are set to travel across Channel, and more than 125,000 are booked on Eurostar train services out of London's Waterloo.

bbc