RAF Brize Norton halts all flights due to heatwave

Extreme temperatures have forced Britain's biggest air base to halt all incoming and outgoing flights.

Aircraft due to land at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, have been forced to divert to other airfields.

An RAF spokesperson said: "During this period of extreme temperature, flight safety remains our top priority, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long-established plan.

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"This means there is no impact on RAF operations."

Sky News had reported that flights had been suspended because the "runway has melted" in the soaring heat.

For the first time ever, temperatures of 40°C have been forecast in the UK and the Met Office has issued the first-ever red warning for exceptional heat.

A new provisional UK record temperature was recorded as 40.3C at Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, the Met Office said on Tuesday.

The Brize Norton base has a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place which takes such events into consideration.

It may include reduced movement around an airfield or the use of alternative locations, and inbound flights may be redirected to other locations if necessary – which means there's no impact on RAF operations.

Aircraft needed to maintain operational support and readiness have been moved to airfields in Bristol, Northolt and Scotland. Non-operational aircraft remain at RAF Brize Norton.

RAF Brize Norton is the largest RAF station with approximately 5,800 service personnel, 1,200 contractors and 300 civilian staff. 

With its mixed fleet of aircraft, RAF Brize Norton provides rapid global mobility in support of UK overseas operations and exercises, as well as ait-to-air refuelling (AAR) support for fast jet aircraft both on operations and in support of UK homeland defence.