On the morning of 26 July 2026, Gatwick Airport in London experienced a water supply outage affecting both terminals, disrupting passenger services but not flight operations, according to LEADERSHIP Newspapers. Heathrow, Britain’s second busiest airport and a significant hub for budget airlines like EasyJet, faced operational challenges due to this issue.
Passenger Facilities Impacted and Emergency Measures Activated
The outage caused the closure of multiple airport restaurants and disabled passenger amenities such as flushing toilets, hand washing, access to hot drinks, and water bottle refills. Bottled water was distributed to passengers and staff to alleviate the disruption.
Cause of the Outage: Power Failure at Nearby Water Treatment Plant
SES Water, the regional supplier responsible for Gatwick Airport and
the Horley area, identified a power outage at a nearby water treatment facility as the root cause. The power failure led to low water pressure and a temporary loss of water supply in the Horley area, impacting Gatwick Airport.
Official Statements and Ongoing Response
Gatwick Airport confirmed the problem affects water supply in both terminals and is under investigation, adding contingency measures have been activated to support passengers. “A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning. The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation,” the airport authority said. SES Water is cooperating
closely with Gatwick Airport to restore service promptly.
Despite the disruptions to passenger services, no flight cancellations or delays have been reported throughout the incident.
Traveler Impact and Contingency Measures
Passengers at Gatwick Airport have been unable to flush toilets, wash hands, access hot drinks, or refill water bottles due to the water outage. Multiple airport restaurants remain closed, with bottled water being handed out to passengers and staff as an emergency response. Contingency measures remain in place to ensure passenger welfare amid the ongoing disruption.
