Airlines warn against travel to snowed-in Britain

AUCKLAND - Holiday makers wanting to fly to Britain have been advised not to do by many airlines who said they could not guarantee they would be able to land due to the massive snowfall.

Snow storms have closed the main airports in the British capital - including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Scores of flights were cancelled, disrupting travel plans for thousands of holiday makers.

The international departures area at the Auckland airport was filled with people waiting to catch connecting flights to get to London, Xinhua reported.

Many people said they were ignoring warnings that their flights out of Hong Kong and Brunei to Heathrow might not leave, saying they will try their luck.

Air New Zealand said Monday two flights left for London Sunday night, but warned that if weather conditions do not improve, passengers may be forced to get down at Hong Kong or Los Angeles.

Australian airline Qantas said it was awaiting an update from Heathrow before deciding whether its scheduled flights for London will leave Australia Monday.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific was anticipating that at least three flights would be able to leave for London.

However, passengers have been advised to check with their airline.

Many airlines said they will meet the costs for passengers who were unexpectedly stranded in transit, but those who choose to fly to London now will have to meet their own accommodation costs if they are stranded.