Gatwick and Heathrow face flight cancellations after severe thunderstorms

Major transport hubs serving London face ongoing recovery efforts following severe thunderstorms that swept across the South East of England on Saturday. The extreme weather, which developed in the early hours of the morning, triggered widespread cancellations and delays at Gatwick and Heathrow airports, leaving passengers stranded and forcing airlines to adjust their schedules significantly.

According to data from Flightradar24, the disruption resulted in more than 400 delays and 96 cancellations at Gatwick, while Heathrow recorded nearly 600 delays and 119 cancellations throughout the day. NATS, the UK’s air traffic control service, confirmed that the widespread instability necessitated air traffic restrictions to maintain safety standards.

Media additions

"To ensure the safety of the travelling public, aircraft need to avoid affected areas and be spaced further apart"

NATS spokesperson, via ITV News

The agency explained that the increased separation between planes limited the total volume of flights that could operate safely. While air traffic restrictions were formally lifted, Gatwick Airport officials warned that residual delays may persist, advising travellers to maintain contact with their respective airlines for real-time updates.

The impact of the storms was compounded by their timing, as they arrived following a record-breaking heatwave. On Friday, temperatures reached 37.3C in Suffolk. This heat, while beginning to cool, maintained a humid environment that contributed to the intensity of the subsequent thunderstorms across southern UK airspace.

Airlines responded by attempting to manage the backlog of affected passengers. British Airways issued a statement acknowledging the difficulties, confirming that the carrier had been forced to make schedule adjustments due to the air traffic control restrictions necessitated by the weather. EasyJet informed The Guardian that it had pre-emptively cancelled a number of flights to and from Gatwick to manage the operational strain, offering passengers the option of rebooking or refunds, alongside hotel accommodation and meal vouchers where appropriate. Wizz Air also reported significant delays caused by the combination of thunderstorms and hail affecting the region.

The travel disruption serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of major aviation infrastructure to sudden meteorological shifts. Passengers who experienced significant delays reported extended periods grounded on aircraft, with some accounts shared on social media indicating waits of several hours before flights were ultimately cancelled. One traveller reported that a flight from Dalaman to Gatwick was cancelled and rescheduled for June 30, while others noted being stuck on grounded planes for four or five hours.

The incident occurs amidst a broader period of concern regarding aviation safety and efficiency. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has recently warned passengers to pack lithium-powered devices—such as power banks, vapes, and spare batteries—in hand luggage rather than checked baggage, noting that the number of battery-related incidents on flights nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025.

What to watch next

• Schedule Recovery: Airlines are currently working to normalize their operations. Passengers with travel plans should verify their status via airline apps or websites before heading to the airport.
• Passenger Rights: Carriers are responsible for providing assistance, including meals and accommodation, for passengers whose flights were significantly delayed or cancelled due to these weather events.
• Safety Compliance: The UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to urge passengers to follow safety regulations regarding the transport of batteries to prevent onboard fires.
• Broader Climate Context: As severe weather patterns continue to influence operational conditions in the South East, airports remain under pressure to balance strict safety spacing requirements with the demands of high-volume summer travel.

While the immediate threat of the thunderstorms has passed, the incident highlights the fragility of flight networks during periods of intense atmospheric instability. Travellers are encouraged to use official airline channels to track the status of their rebooked journeys and to consult their air passenger rights should they encounter further issues with refunds or care provisions.