Travelers at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports are facing significant disruptions as a heatwave gives way to intense thunderstorms. Over 600 flights have been delayed and dozens cancelled across these major hubs, with air traffic control officials warning that the unstable conditions will likely persist throughout the day.
According to flight tracker FlightAware, 340 flights at Heathrow and 320 at Gatwick have encountered delays so far this Saturday. Eurocontrol has identified these two airports as the primary UK locations struggling with severe, storm-related air traffic constraints. The most significant congestion is occurring in the airspace between south-east England and north-western Europe.
Airlines such as British Airways and EasyJet are struggling to maintain schedules. While some routes outside the storm zone remain unaffected, many passengers report being stranded on stationary aircraft for several hours. Gatwick representatives confirmed that temporary air traffic restrictions were implemented to manage the weather-induced complications. EasyJet issued an apology for the service interruptions, noting that they are working to provide rebooking options, refunds, and support for affected passengers.
Although an amber heat warning remains in effect for parts of England, the encroaching storms are expected to intensify through the afternoon. UK air traffic controllers at NATS have indicated that severe weather across the south-east will continue to impact aviation operations for the remainder of the day.
