TTG understands Tui shut its Aberdeen and Dundee holiday stores at around 4pm on Thursday (19 October) as high winds and heavy rain lashed eastern areas of Scotland.

Several rare red weather alerts for Scotland were issued by the Met Office before the storm hit, warning of the potential for “exceptional rainfall” which was “expected to cause severe flooding and disruption”. 

This included “danger to life from fast-flowing or deep floodwater”. 

Hays Travel and Barrhead Travel confirmed to TTG they were also monitoring the situation as both have branches in the storm-affected areas in Scotland.

A Hays Travel spokesperson said: “Our thoughts go to those affected by Storm Babet. We checked with our Scottish branches this morning, and fortunately no issues have been reported overnight. 

“We continue to monitor the situation and will follow local advice and guidance to ensure our teams are safe.” 

Barrhead Travel said all of its shops were currently open and trading as normal. A spokesperson for the Scottish independent said: “We’re following the situation with Storm Babet very carefully. 

“As always, the safety of our colleagues and customers is of the utmost importance, and we’re monitoring guidance from local authorities where we have a presence.”

Regional airline Loganair cancelled 48 flights due to the high winds, which affected services to and from Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkwall and Sumburgh. It added that customers could change their flight booking for free. 

KLM passenger Steven Milne posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing an aborted landing as the plane arrived at Aberdeen airport on Thursday.  

On Friday (20 October), six flights departing from Aberdeen airport have so far been cancelled, while seven inbound flights have also been pulled. 

Highlands and Islands Airports told customers to check their flight status with the airline. Schedules at Kirkwall, Stornoway and Sumburgh airports have been “heavily affected” by Storm Babet, the company said.