The Salvation Army chaplaincy team provided pastoral services for airport staff and travellers at a number of major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham.
Major Bryan Snell, chaplain at Birmingham International Airport, explained that some flights were being delayed by up to two hours and the chaplaincy team were being kept busy advising passengers of new restrictions on what can be taken into the aircraft cabin. They were also in a position to reassure and comfort passengers who may have been unsettled by the increased security presence.
Meanwhile, Major Janet Thompson - the Salvation Army chaplain based at London's Heathrow Airport - reported that the terminal buildings were full of delayed passengers as many flights remained cancelled or postponed. The chaplaincy team offered advice and friendly words to those affected.
Lt-Colonel Stephen Pallant commented that Gatwick Airport was extremely busy and that his main role was just to be there for stranded passengers to turn to.Many short-haul and European flights were cancelled since 10 August and prospective passengers were advised to contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
Heathrow Airport was closed to all incoming flights that were not already in the air following a police anti-terror operation which uncovered a plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US.
Delays, cancellations and heightened security continued despite Britain’s decision to
lower the terror threat level.
At Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, one in five flights was cancelled as airlines and the airport operator struggled to restore normal service.
