How are Irish airports and airlines helping after Heathrow closure?

Airports and airlines across the UK and Ireland have come to the aid of Heathrow following its closure on Friday.

Online flight tracking service Flightradar24 said more than 1,300 flights were disrupted by the closure, with 120 flights to the airport in the air when the closure was announced.

Ryanair said it is organising eight “rescue flights” between London Stansted and Ireland for passengers affected by the closure.

The airline said in a statement: “Ryanair will operate four extra flights between Dublin and Stansted on Friday afternoon as well as four extra flights on Saturday morning.

“These flights can be booked on http://Ryanair.com from 9.30am this morning.”

The cheapest one-way ticket from Stansted to Dublin on Friday and Saturday is priced at £132.99 on the Ryanair website.

In contrast, the cheapest ticket for the same route with the airline the following Saturday (March 29) is priced at £14.99.

All flights between Dublin Airport and Heathrow on Friday have been cancelled.

Graeme McQueen, media relations manager at Dublin Airport Authority, said: “All flights scheduled between Dublin Airport and London Heathrow today have been cancelled following the closure of London Heathrow Airport due to a power outage.

“A total of 34 flights were scheduled between Dublin Airport and Heathrow today – 17 inbound and 17 outbound.

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“Further disruption to flights between Dublin Airport and Heathrow over the coming days is possible.

“Passengers looking for updates regarding specific flights or to rebook or change flight are advised to contact their airline directly by phone or online.”

Seven flights diverted from Heathrow will land at London Gatwick on Friday, the airport confirmed.

Shannon Airport in Co Clare, Ireland, said at least six flights diverted from Heathrow would land at its airport on Friday.

A spokesperson for Shannon Airport Group said: “We are closely monitoring the situation at Heathrow Airport and are providing support by accommodating diverted flights as needed and our team is on-site to assist with the additional passengers.

“So far, Shannon Airport has facilitated six diverted flights originally scheduled to land at Heathrow, including flights from Toronto, Atlanta, Bridgetown Barbados, Boston, Orlando and Newark.

“The first of these flights landed safely at 4.26am this morning.”