Thunderstorm warning in the UK causes travel chaos at the airport / Photo – File
Thousands of passengers traveling through two of the UK’s busiest airports faced major disruptions after strong thunderstorms swept through southern England, forcing airlines and air traffic controllers to delay hundreds of flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports.The disruption came as the UK Met Office issued yellow thunderstorm warnings covering large parts of southern England, warning of heavy rain, lightning, hail and flash flooding that could affect transport throughout the day. Bad weather forced planes to wait on the ground and in holding patterns while air traffic controllers were able to reduce airport capacity to ensure passenger safety.
Heathrow and Gatwick flights delayed
Hundreds of flights departing and arriving at Heathrow and London Gatwick were delayed as storms passed through the area, flight tracking data showed.According to the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), temporary air traffic restrictions have been put in place because thunderstorms reduce the amount of airspace control devices that can be safely used. Planes must be spaced further apart during severe weather, reducing the number of flights that can land and depart each hour.NATS said in a statement: “Thunderstorms sweeping across southern England are reducing the amount of airspace available for aircraft.
“Safety remains our priority, so temporary traffic management measures are required.”Airport operators advised passengers to check directly with their airlines before travelling, warning that delays could continue throughout the day as planes and crews gradually return to schedule.
Warning from the Met Office
The Met Office warned that thunderstorms could bring heavy rain, frequent lightning, hail and gusts of wind capable of causing travel disruption across southern England.Forecasters said some areas could receive 20 to 40 mm of rain over a short period, with isolated locations likely to record higher totals as storms become slower-moving.In addition to flight disruption, the Meteorological Authority warned of:
- Local flooding.
- Difficult driving conditions.
- Temporary road closures.
- Delayed railway services.
- Possibility of power outages in isolated areas.
Meteorologists explained that the storms developed as warm, very humid air moved across the UK, creating unstable weather conditions that allowed severe thunderstorms to form quickly.
Passengers face waits at UK airports
Inside Heathrow and Gatwick stations, departure boards quickly filled with delays as passengers waited for revised departure times.Many incoming aircraft were also forced to hold their patterns before landing, creating a knock-on effect throughout the day. Aviation experts noted that even relatively short weather-related outages can take several hours to recover due to the displacement of aircraft, flight crews and airport operations across the network.Many airlines advised customers to monitor flight status updates through their websites and mobile applications, while airport authorities encouraged travelers to allow extra time for their flights.
Will flights return to normal?
Forecasters expect the thunderstorms to gradually move away, allowing airport operations to recover later in the day. However, aviation specialists have warned that delays may continue even after the skies are clear because airlines need time to reposition planes and crews.The Met Office said further rain and isolated thunderstorms remained possible in some parts of England, meaning passengers should continue to check weather forecasts and airline updates before travelling.For thousands of holidaymakers and business travellers, the storms were another reminder of how quickly extreme summer weather can disrupt one of Europe’s busiest aviation networks.