UK Thunderstorms Ground Hundreds of Flights at Heathrow & Gatwick!
UK Thunderstorms Ground Hundreds of Flights at Heathrow & Gatwick!
Severe thunderstorms wreak havoc on UK air travel! Hundreds of flights delayed at Heathrow and Gatwick, disrupting weekend plans. Get the full story and what to expect.
Travel chaos struck London's major airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, on Saturday as severe thunderstorms swept across the UK, causing hundreds of flights to be delayed. The disruption left countless passengers frustrated and scrambling for alternative arrangements, with the knock-on effect expected to continue into Sunday.
According to flight tracker FlightAware, a staggering 484 inbound and outbound flights experienced delays across both Gatwick and Heathrow by Saturday evening. Heathrow saw 42 per cent of its flights affected, while Gatwick, a significant 50 per cent of its operations were delayed.
NATS, the UK's air traffic control service, confirmed the widespread impact, explaining that the severe thunderstorms across the South East of England and Europe were the primary cause. A spokesperson from NATS clarified, "To ensure the safety of the travelling public, aircraft need to avoid affected areas and be spaced further apart, which limits the number of flights that can operate safely." They acknowledged the frustration but assured the public that they are working closely with airlines and airports to minimize disruption.
Both Gatwick and Heathrow airports issued advisories, urging passengers to check the status of their flights directly with their airlines before making their way to the airport. This proactive measure aims to prevent further congestion and inconvenience for travelers.
The flight disruptions occurred even as an amber warning for extreme heat, which had gripped parts of the UK, began to recede. The warning for the East and South East was extended until 9 am on Sunday. Earlier in the week, the UK had experienced record-breaking June temperatures, with Friday being confirmed as the hottest June day on record by the Met Office, reaching a provisional 37.3C in Santon Downham, Suffolk. While the heatwave was coming to an end, the arrival of thunderstorms brought a new set of challenges for the country's travel infrastructure.
