This guy's experience matches mine: BA might tell you on email not to go to the airport in case of IROPS, but it staffs people on the phone that can't help. Going to the airport is often the only way to get service: this was the case for me as well in a similar situation, but BA's cancellation was mechanical, i.e. it's own fault, yet on the phone BA would not reaccomodate me and a trip to the airport (on my dime and time) was needed to get the situation fixed.

Good read with lots of detail at http://blog.wandr.me/2015/02/snowed-...-job-istanbul/