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UK heatwave: Britain's Luton airport reopens for departures, arrivals still suspended

Fault discovered following high temperatures across the country

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FILE. Grounded Monarch airplanes sit on the tarmac at Luton airport, south England on October 2, 2017. Photo: AFP

By Reuters

Published: Mon 18 Jul 2022, 7:34 PM

Last updated: Mon 18 Jul 2022, 9:29 PM

Britain's London Luton airport said it had reopened to departing flights after a runway defect caused by hot weather, but arrivals remained suspended until further notice.

"The runway re-opened to departing flights at 17.40 (BST). Arrivals remain suspended until further notice," the airport said on Twitter.

Earlier in the day flights were suspended as defect was discovered in a runway.

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"Following today's high temperatures, a surface defect was identified on the runway. Engineers were called immediately to site and repair works are currently in progress to resume operations as soon as possible," the airport said in a statement on Twitter.

Royal Air Force halts flights

Britain's Royal Air Force said on Monday aircraft were using alternative airfields to its Brize Norton air base due to extreme temperatures, after Sky News reported the hot weather had melted the runway at the Oxfordshire base.

Sky, citing a military source, earlier said the RAF had halted flights in and out of the base. Britain is forecast to hit record temperatures on Monday.

"During this period of extreme temperature flight safety remains the RAF’s top priority, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long-established plan. This means there is no impact on RAF operations," the Royal Air Force said of flights at RAF Brize Norton, in a statement posted on Twitter by the Ministry of Defence.

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Reuters

Published: Mon 18 Jul 2022, 7:34 PM

Last updated: Mon 18 Jul 2022, 9:29 PM

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