Hundreds of flights have been delayed and dozens cancelled at Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport as severe thunderstorms swept across south-east England, disrupting travel during an ongoing heatwave.
More than 600 flights were affected on Saturday alone, with airlines across both airports experiencing significant delays and operational disruptions. Aviation tracking data shows hundreds of departures and arrivals were held up, with some passengers facing delays of up to six hours as storm activity intensified over London’s busy air corridors.
The disruption has been linked to sudden weather changes as the UK’s recent heatwave gave way to heavy thunderstorms. Air traffic control restrictions were introduced to ensure safety as storm clouds moved across key flight paths, reducing the number of aircraft that could safely take off or land.
The UK’s air traffic control service, NATS, said the situation was expected to continue throughout the day due to “forecasted severe weather across the south-east of England.” The agency added that congestion in airspace over London and parts of north-west Europe had made it difficult to maintain normal flight schedules.
At Heathrow alone, at least 367 flights were delayed, while Gatwick recorded more than 350 affected services. The European aviation coordination body Eurocontrol confirmed that the two London airports were among the worst impacted in Europe, with “heavy” delays caused by thunderstorm-related restrictions.
Passengers reported long waits on grounded aircraft, cancellations after boarding, and limited communication from airlines. Some travellers described being stuck for hours without updates, while others said flights were cancelled only after extended delays on the runway or at departure gates.
Budget carrier easyJet confirmed it had pre-emptively cancelled some flights in response to the weather, saying the decision was made to reduce further disruption. The airline stated that it was working to rebook affected passengers and provide accommodation and meal assistance where necessary.
British Airways also acknowledged schedule changes, attributing delays to air traffic restrictions linked to adverse weather conditions. The airline apologised to customers and said it was working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
Heathrow Airport advised passengers to check flight statuses before travelling, warning that disruption could continue into the evening depending on storm development. Gatwick also confirmed that temporary air traffic control restrictions were in place, contributing to delays and cancellations across multiple airlines.
The chaos comes as parts of eastern and south-eastern England remain under a Met Office amber heat warning, even as isolated thunderstorms continue to develop. Meteorologists say storm activity is expected to intensify through the afternoon, potentially extending disruption into night operations.
For now, both airports remain operational but heavily strained, with passengers urged to prepare for continued delays as airlines and air traffic controllers work to manage one of the busiest and most weather-disrupted travel days of the season.
