Airport stands by for American flights

Cardiff International Airport is ready to deal with flights

Cardiff International Airport is on stand-by to deal with diverted transatlantic flights once American air space reopens.

There is speculation that flights diverted to Newfoundland in Canada will be granted special permission to return to Europe and that some could be requested to land at Cardiff.

A British Airways jumbo remains grounded at the airport

It is understood that more than 240 planes remain grounded in Newfoundland, following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Cardiff is designated as a diversionary airport in emergencies or bad weather because its long runway is capable of dealing with the largest transatlantic aircraft.

Extra staff have been drafted in to the airport in Rhoose, outside Cardiff, to deal with a backlog of suspended flights coming into the UK.

All our airport security measures have been tightened

Spokeswoman, Cardiff International Airport

Meanwhile, passengers destined for Florida on Thursday morning were told their flight had been postponed indefinitely, while an incoming flight from Toronto, Canada, was also cancelled.

Airport staff are awaiting further information on whether US airspace will be re-opened before making a decision on a flight due to leave for Florida on Friday morning.

A British Airways aircraft - diverted to Cardiff on Tuesday night - remains on the ground awaiting permission to be moved.

Heightened security at the airport includes an armed police presence and special measures brought in following the US attacks.

"All our airport security measures have been tightened," said airport spokeswoman Nicola Greaves.

Heathrow may need to divert flights

"Our switchboard is currently inundated with calls. We are urging people not to call the airport for flight information but to contact their airline to travel operator."

Flight to inter-European destinations remain unaffected and there are no reports of delays from Cardiff to Mediterranean destinations.

But international connections from European cities may be subject to delays.

Passengers from north Wales using Manchester airport were told 10 scheduled flights to the USA and Canada from Manchester Airport had been cancelled.

The airport is advising passengers to contact their tour operator or airline for more information.

Thousands of customers of Swansea-based Travel City Direct on holiday in America are caught up in the flight chaos.

Hundreds more do not yet know if they will have their flights and holidays cancelled.

For up-to-the-minute details from Cardiff International Airport's live flight information service log on to: www.cial.co.uk

Relatives of people in the United States can contact an emergency helpline on - 0207 008 0000.