Why Did British Airways Flight BA1300 Divert from Aberdeen?

January 4, 2026 at 02:01 PM•3 min read

British Airways flight BA1300 from London to Aberdeen was diverted to Edinburgh Airport due to heavy snow and Met Office Amber warnings, causing significant travel disruption.

Key Points

1British Airways Flight BA1300 from London was diverted to Edinburgh Airport on Sunday, January 4, 2026, due to heavy snow at Aberdeen Airport.
2The Met Office issued a new Amber weather warning for the region, forecasting up to 30cm of snow and temporary blizzard conditions.
3The diversion, a critical safety measure, impacted the London-Aberdeen route and contributed to wider travel chaos across northern Scotland's road and air networks.
4Airlines must make proactive operational changes to manage severe winter weather, prioritizing safety over schedule adherence.

A British Airways flight bound for Aberdeen was forced to divert over 100 miles away on Sunday morning. The diversion was necessary due to heavy snow Scotland impacting operations at the destination airport. Flight BA1300 departed London at 6:35 am on January 4. It was scheduled to land at Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) at 8:10 am.

Diversion Details

The aircraft, operating the key London to Aberdeen route, instead landed at Edinburgh Airport (EDI). The flight arrived in the Scottish capital at 8:40 am, approximately 30 minutes after its original scheduled arrival time. The airline issued an apology to affected passengers online. A statement confirmed the diversion, citing the extreme weather conditions.

Widespread Aviation Weather Disruption

This incident highlights the aviation weather disruption facing northern Scotland. The UK’s Met Office has issued a series of severe warnings for the area. A fresh Amber warning for snow was in effect, starting at 6:00 pm on Sunday. This warning was scheduled to last until 10:00 am the following morning.

Forecasters warned of blizzard conditions Scotland across the north of the country. This included the potential for significant snow accumulation. Low-level areas could see 5-10cm of new snow. Higher ground faced the risk of 20-30cm of accumulation. The Met Office warnings specifically noted the likelihood of delays and cancellations to air services.

Operational and Travel Impact

The heavy snowfall has caused widespread infrastructure challenges. Road conditions in Aberdeenshire were reported as "impassable" in some parts. Local authorities deployed 32 gritters on Sunday morning to clear main routes. The ongoing weather alerts, including a new yellow warning for Tuesday, December 6, indicate continued risk. This cold spell is expected to bring snow and ice across central and northern Scotland until late Tuesday.

For airlines like British Airways, severe winter weather necessitates proactive operational changes. Diverting a flight is a critical safety decision made when landing conditions, such as runway braking action or visibility, are compromised. The diversion to Edinburgh, a major hub, allows for better passenger handling and re-routing. The disruption underscores the challenge of maintaining scheduled operations during extreme weather events. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights directly with the airline or Aberdeen Airport before traveling. The Met Office continues to monitor the situation and update its warnings. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

This event is part of a broader pattern of winter weather impacting UK air travel. Similar disruptions, including cancellations and diversions, were reported at Aberdeen Airport earlier in the week.