Flights between Malta and London returned to normal yesterday after cancellations and delays on Monday caused by one of Britain's worst snow storms in 18 years.

Four flights between Malta and the British capital had to be cancelled on Monday and other flights were delayed for a number of hours due to the bad weather.

Air Malta had to cancel its afternoon flight to London Heathrow and, of course, the evening return flight and Ryanair's flight from Luton was also cancelled.

The national airline's flight to Manchester was also affected by the weather. The flight had to be rerouted to Birmingham because of low visibility at its destination. The passengers were transferred by coach to Manchester airport and those departing from Manchester were taken to Birmingham, taking the flight to Malta.

An Air Malta spokesman said passengers were offered free rerouting or the chance to change travel dates. The airline normally charges €60 for a change in itinerary.

Attempts to contact the Irish low-cost airline proved futile yesterday.

British Airways had a three-hour delay in its flight from Gatwick on Monday, a spokesman for the airline said. Almost 130 passengers were booked on the outgoing flight to London.