A “perfect storm” of bad weather and millions of travellers has resulted in disruption at the start of the Christmas getaway period – with Irish Sea ferries and some flights cancelled due to high winds.
The Met Office said yellow warnings for wind, which came into force at 7am on Saturday, are expected to remain in place across the UK until 9pm on Sunday.
Alongside the warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry, Met Éireann has issued a yellow warning for wind in Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.
Stena Line has cancelled Sunday crossings between Belfast and Cairnryan, while P&O said all sailings between Larne and Cairnryan are cancelled until 8pm on Sunday.
Stena has also said its 11.30pm sailing from Belfast remained “in doubt”
Flights are continuing to operate at both Belfast International and Belfast City airports, but British Airways cancelled its 11.10am flight between Heathrow and Belfast City.
Heathrow said a “small number of flights” had been cancelled due to “strong winds and airspace restriction” and British Airways said disruption was likely to continue throughout the weekend.
A spokesperson for the airline said: “Due to adverse weather this weekend, restrictions have been put on the number of flights able to take off and land at Heathrow and therefore we’ve had to make a small number of cancellations.
“We’re offering free flight changes for those customers booked on short-haul services who don’t wish to travel this weekend, and we will be offering rebooking and refund options as always to those whose journeys are disrupted as a result of the restrictions.
“While the vast majority of our customers will travel as planned, our teams are working hard to help those who have been affected get their travel plans back on track at this important time of year.”
In Portrush, the annual Santa Splash charity event, planned for West Strand Beach on Sunday, has been cancelled due to the sea conditions.
In a statement, Portrush Yacht Club said: "As organisers we take our responsibility to ensure the safety of all participants and volunteers seriously and as a result it has left us with no other option.
“However, we’d like to invite you all to Portrush Yacht Club for hot fruit punch, mince pies, our world famous raffle, live music and plenty of festive cheer, as we raise vital funds for RNLI Portrush.”
Meanwhile, CalMac, which operates ferry services on Scotland’s west coast, said 29 of its 30 routes were either cancelled or affected by disruption on Sunday.
It comes amid warnings of a “perfect storm” created by bad weather and congestion on the roads.
The AA predicted 21.3 million drivers will hit the road across the UK on Sunday while 22.7 million had been expected on Saturday, slightly fewer than the 23.7 million on Friday which was expected to be the busiest day on the roads since the group’s records began in 2010.
A spokesperson said “if the congestion wasn’t enough of a headache, the inclement weather could create the perfect storm”.
“We advise those heading out to allow extra time to travel and increase the distance between themselves and other road users.”
