Early morning delays from LHR

[HamishMcBush]

Mrs Mc is on a flight this morning; due to leave LHR T4 at 06:40, took off an hour late meaning she will have almost no connection time at CDG (merciffuly it should be just a 10-minute walk between gates). Checking the departures boards, it appears that all departured this morning from LHR are 30 to 60 minutes late. No fog; almost ideal flying conditions, so why? Nothing posted on the airport website to give any indication

[Lord Spandex Masher]

Seemed to be delays pretty much all afternoon and evening yesterday too.

[Hotel Tango]

I can't say for sure but it might simply be due to Flow Management. I believe that most airlines have now introduced their Summer schedules, and that means a substantial increase in movements, not only at LHR but also at European airports and in the European skies.

[Stage5]

GREEN SHIELD 2014 my well have caused delays this morning.

IN FRANCE COMBINED MILITARY EXERCISE GREEN SHIELD 2014 UNTIL
16-APRIL (WEEKENDS EXCLUDED). EXERCISE WILL INVOLVE NUMEROUS
FRENCHAND FOREIGN AIRCRAFT, IN ALL FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND
ALTITUDES.
.
LFEE (REIMS) + LFFF (PARIS) FIR IMPACTED, AS WELL AS AIRFIELDS
IN NORTH EAST OF FRANCE.
.
FOUR TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREAS WILL BE CREATED FOR THE EXERCISE,
AS DESCRIBED IIN FRANCE COMBINED MILITARY EXERCISE GREEN SHIELD 2014 UNTIL
16-APRIL (WEEKENDS EXCLUDED). EXERCISE WILL INVOLVE NUMEROUS
FRENCHAND FOREIGN AIRCRAFT, IN ALL FLIGHT CONDITIONS AND
ALTITUDES.
.
LFEE (REIMS) + LFFF (PARIS) FIR IMPACTED, AS WELL AS AIRFIELDS
IN NORTH EAST OF FRANCE.
.
FOUR TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREAS WILL BE CREATED FOR THE EXERCISE,
AS DESCRIBED IN AIP SUP 046/14

On top of that the following would also cause some delays.

MILITARY EXERCISE FRISIAN FLAG 2014 WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MAR 31
TO APR 11 (WEEKENDS EXCLUDED). AMSTERDAM (EHAA), COPENHAGEN (EKDK)
AND BREMEN (EDWW) FIR/UIR ARE CONCERNED.
.
ACTIVITY WILL TAKE PLACE DAILY 0730-1000 AND 1130-1400 (MORNING
SLOT ONLY ON FRIDAY 11TH APRIL). THESE TIME SLOTS CAN BE ADAPTED
TACTICALLY.
.
CAPACITY REDUCTIONS IN EDYY JEVER AND DELTA SECTORS ARE TO BE
EXPECTED.
.
SEE NOP FOR FULL DETAILS AND UPDATES.
.
PRE-TACTICAL MEASURES: EDYYD4JL AND EDYYD4WL ARE REGULATED DURING
THE CORE PERIOD OF THE DAY - GENERALLY LOW DELAYS PREDICTED.

[champair79]

3000ft winds were very strong which resulted in a reduced flow rate until about 11am.


Added to the French fun and games = delays!


Champ