Hundreds of flights remain grounded at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports as severe thunderstorms continue to disrupt travel across southern England.
More than 400 flights were delayed and 600 canceled at Heathrow on Saturday, according to flight-tracking service Flightradar24. Gatwick saw over 200 cancellations and hundreds more delays, with the disruptions spilling into Sunday.
Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management agency, confirmed that Heathrow and Gatwick were the only UK airports facing heavy delays due to the storms. Temporary air traffic control restrictions were imposed at Gatwick on Saturday, further complicating operations.
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Gatwick Airport acknowledged the impact in a statement: “Due to ongoing thunderstorms across the network last night, temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place, which resulted in some flights being delayed and canceled this morning.”
EasyJet, one of the hardest-hit carriers, canceled flights to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Belfast, and Nice. A spokesperson said the airline was working to minimize disruptions, offering rebooking options, refunds, and accommodations where necessary. “We are doing all possible to minimize the impact of the weather disruption for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
British Airways also canceled multiple flights from Heathrow, including routes to Toulouse, Rome, Amsterdam, and Milan.
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The Met Office warned that while the recent heatwave is easing, more thunderstorms could develop. Forecasts for Gatwick predict cloudy conditions with showers throughout Sunday, with unsettled weather likely to persist.
Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines before traveling, as further cancellations remain possible. The disruptions come as airports and carriers attempt to clear backlogs from Saturday’s chaos, though recovery efforts have been slowed by lingering weather risks.
Aviation analysts note that summer storms often create cascading delays, as aircraft and crews are stranded far from their scheduled routes. The problem is compounded at major hubs like Heathrow, where even minor disruptions can ripple across global networks.
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One traveler waiting at Gatwick described the scene as “organized chaos,” with long lines at rebooking desks and limited information from staff. Airlines have urged passengers to use online tools to manage their bookings rather than queuing at airports.
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority has not issued any formal guidance beyond standard compensation rules for delayed or canceled flights. Under EU regulations, passengers may be entitled to refunds or rerouting if their flight is canceled with less than 14 days’ notice, though weather-related disruptions typically fall under “extraordinary circumstances,” limiting compensation.
For now, the focus remains on restoring normal operations. But with more storms forecast, the recovery could take longer than expected.
