After the runway melted, air traffic was suspended at the most important British military airport
The British Royal Air Force has announced that warplanes are no longer operating at Brize Norton Air Force Base after record temperatures melted the runway at Oxfordshire.
The planes were forced to use alternative airports due to the extreme temperatures.
"During this period of extreme temperatures, flight safety remains a top priority for the RAF, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long-established plan," the Air Force said.
Britain braced for temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius for the first time this week, as ministers urged the public to stay indoors as a heat wave caused train services to be canceled, an airport in London closed its runway and some schools closed.
The British government has launched a "national emergency" alert as temperatures are expected to surpass the previous record of 38.7 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) at the University of Cambridge Botanic Garden in 2019.
On Monday, the temperature rose to 38 degrees Celsius in southern England and a new high was recorded in Wales, according to the British Met Office.
The weather is expected to be hotter this week when the level of 40 degrees Celsius is expected.
"We have a very difficult 48 hours ahead," Kate Malthus, the minister in charge of government coordination, told BBC radio.
The National Rail Network urged passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary, with some services - including a major route between north-east England and London - not operating during parts of Tuesday.
The London Underground network has imposed temporary speed limits, which means it will operate a reduced service with journeys that take longer than usual.
Network Rail's Jake Kelly said he hopes normal operations will resume on Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to drop, but that it will depend on "the damage the weather does to infrastructure over the next couple of days."
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