‘Frantic Friday’ getaway chaos as Heathrow flights AXED, Eurostar warns ‘do NOT travel’ & 3.2m hit roads today alone

CHAOS has erupted at airports, Eurostar and the UK's roads as "Frantic Friday" gets underway.

Some flights have been axed from Heathrow and Stansted Airports today.

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The RAC has dubbed today “Frantic Friday” is expected to see a total of 3.2million road trips being made as leisure and commuter traffic vie with each other for space on the roads.

Figures from INRIX shows traffic heading to major UK airports and staycation destinations will build from today onwards.

The motoring organisation is predicting that Saturday, July 27, will be even worse with 3.6m trips made by car, with the RAC calling it a "weekend of woe".

It is likely to be the second biggest summer getaway weekend since 2015.

Last year, between July 21-23, 12.6m trips were done.

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Anyone heading off on holiday on Saturday or Sunday should expect a ‘weekend of woe’ on the roads with journeys taking far longer than normal. If you can’t set off early, then it's highly likely you’ll be sitting in traffic for quite some time.

“Our research suggests this year’s getaway is set to be busier than average, possibly due to the UK inflation rate having slowed, giving people a bit more confidence to spend.

“However, with our recent bad weather causing an increase in international travel bookings, queues to major airports should not be underestimated.

“We’d advise drivers to plan their routes well in advance if jetting off abroad this week."

There are also problems on the Eurostar service with several trains to Paris cancelled and others diverted after "co-ordinated acts of malice" ahead of the Olympics in France.

The rail operator, which runs international services from London St Pancras, confirmed on Friday its trains would be delayed because of the ongoing issues over the Channel.

The disruption comes hours ahead of the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and as millions embark on summer getaways.

French rail company SNCF said a series of incidents overnight had affected travel to and from London beneath the Channel, to Belgium, and across the west, north and east of France.

Three fires were reported near the tracks of the French Atlantique, Nord and Est high-speed lines by local media.

Eurostar said: "Due to co-ordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday July 26.

"This extends the journey time by around an hour-and-a-half. Several trains have been cancelled.

"Eurostar's teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to ensure that all passengers are informed and can reach their destination."

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