UPDATE: Passengers stranded in London as Inverness Airport 'not able' to stay open

Inverness Airport was "not able" to stay open for the delayed arrival of a flight from Heathrow last night.

Around 150 passengers were left stranded in London after boarding the 7.15pm British Airways service.

It had been delayed on the runway for around an hour because of what is believed to have been security issues.

• Inverness passengers stranded in London after Heathrow flight has 'security issues'

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A spokesman for Highlands and Islands Airports, which operates Inverness Airport, said: “Following some earlier issues with the flight at Heathrow, the British Airways team requested an extension to the opening hours at Inverness Airport.

"Unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate the request."

The flight was originally due to arrive in the Highland capital at 8.55pm.

The airport closes at 9.30pm.

A spokeswoman for British Airways said: "We've apologised to customers for the delay to their travel plans, we have provided hotel accommodation and rebooked them onto the next available flight to get them to their destination."

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