The Royal Air Force has suspended flights in and out of its largest air base after the runway reportedly melted on a day of extremely hot weather.
RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was forced to divert traffic to other airfields due to safety concerns, a spokesman said.
A source told Sky News the decision was made on Monday morning as the track’s asphalt had melted in the heat.
In a statement, the RAF confirmed the flights were diverted as they could not safely take off from Brize Norton.
The Air Force said the sabotage did not disrupt military business.
“During this period of extreme temperatures, flight safety remains the RAF’s top priority, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in accordance with a long-established plan.” This means there is no impact on RAF operations,” the statement said.
Brize Norton sits in the UK red alert for extreme heat on Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures expected to reach a maximum of 35C on Monday.
Brize Norton is the UK’s largest air force base
(Getty)
The airstrip at the base normally operates around the clock and is the UK’s main gateway for defense airlift.
Flights were also grounded at Luton Airport due to the melting runway, with planes diverted to nearby Stansted.
A statement posted on Luton’s Twitter account read: “Following today’s high temperatures a surface defect has been identified on the track.
“Engineers were immediately called to the site and repair work is currently underway to resume operations as soon as possible.”
The UK’s highest recorded temperature is expected to be exceeded twice in the next two days and the Met Office has declared the country’s first ever national heat emergency.
Commuters are suffering from extreme heat on the London Underground on Monday
(PA)
Authorities have warned people against unnecessary travel during the extreme heat, prompting millions more to work from home.
Network Rail said the number of passengers using mainline stations across Britain on Monday was around 20 per cent down on a week ago.
Location technology firm TomTom said road congestion at 9am was lower in most UK cities than at the same time last week.
In London, congestion levels fell from 53 percent on July 11 to 42 percent on Monday.
In Birmingham they fell from 46% to 43%, in Manchester they fell from 45% to 37% and in Glasgow they fell from 17% to 12%.
London’s Victoria Station was relatively empty during the morning rush hour on Monday
(AFP/Getty)
The figures reflect the proportion of additional time required for trips compared to free-flow conditions.
Transport for London, which advised people to “only travel if necessary”, said around 1.06 million entries and exits had been made by London Underground passengers by 10am on Monday.
That’s down 18% from the same period last Monday.
About 1.07 million bus trips were made by 10am, down 10% on the week.
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