engine problems, airline spokeswomen said yesterday.

A full Continental Airlines flight to Newark, New Jersey was unable to leave on Thursday because of engine difficulties.

However the flight left at the scheduled 1.40 p.m. time yesterday after the engine was fixed.

Meanwhile, a British Airways flight bound for London on Thursday had to stay on the ground after a mechanical problem was discovered.

"There was a mechanical problem last night (Thursday) because there was an oil leak in the number two engine,'' British Airways spokeswoman Sallie Singleton said.

"Because of the very strong winds the engineers were not able to work on it.'' Mrs. Singleton said that the winds had not abated yesterday and the passengers were put up in various local hotels although others were re-routed to the eastern seaboard with the help of American carriers.

"The flight to London (Thursday) was fully booked and we worked all day yesterday to obtain another aircraft.'' Mrs. Singleton said the alternative aircraft was expected to arrive around 10 p.m. last night and leave one hour later.