The UK and Ireland have been battered by Storm Eowyn on January 24, 2025, causing the cancellation of hundreds of flights at airports across the two countries.
The storm has brought destructive winds to parts Ireland and northwestern parts of the UK. National weather and climate service the Met Office issued red weather warnings for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. A red weather warning means that it is likely that weather will cause damage, for example to buildings, roads and houses.
In total, 430 flights have been cancelled from UK airports, representing 18% of all scheduled departures for the day. This is in addition to the cancellation of 424 arriving flights, according to data from Cirium. Edinburgh Airport was the worst affected throughout the UK, cancelling 85 departures and 80 arrivals.
In Ireland, 142 departures were cancelled from, representing 41% of all scheduled departures from the country. A further 128 arriving flights have also been cancelled.
In addition to flight cancellations and disruption, strong winds and an unusually strong jet stream propelled a flight traveling between the US and the UK to record-breaking speeds.
According to data from Flightradar24, British Airways flight BA274 from Las Vegas to Heathrow reached a ground speed of 814mph. This made the A350 travel as speeds just 21mph short of the subsonic speed record of 835mph.
Disruption is expected to continue through to January 26, 2025.