Welsh fans in race to game
ABERDARE fans were among rugby supporters left stranded and facing a race against time to see Wales take on France in the Six Nations on Friday night after flights were cancelled due to snow.
WELSH rugby fans were left stranded and faced a race against time to see Wales take on France in the Six Nations on Friday night after flights to Paris were cancelled because of the snow.
Some decided to drive to the French capital after flights at Cardiff and Bristol airports were cancelled because of the adverse weather conditions.
An early flight to Paris did get away from Cardiff Airport after a short delay, but a later one was cancelled.
Former Welsh rugby captain Sam Warburton was due to be on that 9.30am flight, but he was left trying to get on the Eurostar after the flight was cancelled.
He said: “At least one flight managed to get out this morning, so there will be some fans there. Hopefully, I will get there in time on the Eurostar, and get to Paris safe and sound hopefully. It is the fans I feel sorry for who have paid for flights and accommodation. Hopefully they can get an alternative route to get out to support the boys tonight.”
Warburton did make it to Paris to see Wales stage a magnificent comeback to claim a 24-19 win.
Wales fan Julie Barrett and her husband Paul were due to fly to Paris from Bristol, but when their flight was cancelled they decided to drive.
Julie said: “I am a massive Wales fan, but I have never seen them play abroad. I have been looking forward to this trip for ages, so when we got the message that the flight had been cancelled we worked it out and decided it would be possible to get the Eurostar and drive.
“It is not quite the relaxed trip we had planned but it is definitely an adventure. Our flight was supposed to be at 2pm, but now we are booked on the 2.20pm Eurostar.”
Laura Davies, 27, from Aberdare, was due to fly from Cardiff to Paris. When her flight was cancelled she managed to get a seat on a flight from Southampton.
She said: “To be honest it’s just frustrating really, we planned ahead by staying in Cardiff last night, arrived at the airport in plenty of time and the elements have beaten us.
“We also have tickets for the match, including my Uncle Rob’s tickets who is already in the French capital. Fingers crossed we have a smooth transition and make it.”
Eurostar was also forced to cancel a number of journeys due to ongoing adverse weather in France and Belgium.
One group of Welsh rugby fans from Rhondda set up camp in a London pub after being told they faced a five-hour delay.
Cardiff Airport said: “Due to adverse weather, there is some disruption to scheduled flights.
“Customers are advised to check live flight information on our website, and contact their airlines directly for info on specific flights.”
There were no other flights to Paris from Cardiff planned.
The decision on flights is taken by the airlines, but fans on the cancelled flight were being helped to find alternative seats on planes from other airports and on the Eurostar.
Cardiff Airport was back to normal by lunchtime but a spokeswoman advised passengers to leave plenty of time to get to the airport and to check with the airline.
All flights from Bristol Airport were cancelled until noon because of the amount of snow on the runway. Both flights from the airport to Paris in the afternoon were cancelled.