A burst water main beneath the Inner Ring Road West in Heathrow Airport’s central terminal area has caused flooding affecting Terminals 2 and 3 on Saturday, 15 August 2026. The flooding occurred beneath the Inner Ring Road West, an essential ground transport route within the Central Terminal Area (CTA).
Flooding Impact Confined to Roads Around Terminals 2 and 3
The flooding has forced ongoing road closures restricting access to Terminals 2 and 3, limiting travel by car. There is no flooding reported inside the terminals themselves. Heathrow confirmed flights themselves remain unaffected with no reported delays or cancellations linked to the flooding.
Passenger Travel Advisories and Alternatives
Heathrow Airport advises passengers not to travel by
road to Terminals 2 and 3 due to closures caused by flooding. Instead, passengers should use rail options: the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line, and Piccadilly Line services provide access to these terminals. For those driving, park and ride facilities at Terminals 4 and 5 are recommended, with free rail connections available to Terminals 2 and 3.
Official Statement and Context
A Heathrow Airport spokesman said, “Flooding in the central terminal area has resulted in on-going road closures restricting access to Terminals 2 and 3. Passengers travelling to or from either of these terminals today must not travel by road. Passengers are strongly advised to
use Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line and Piccadilly Line rail services where possible. Any passengers that must travel by car must use Park and Ride, head to Terminals 4 or 5 and take free rail services from there, or change at local rail stations. Please allow extra time for your journey. Our teams are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, we apologise for any disruption caused.”
The disruption coincides with the school summer holidays, when hundreds of thousands of customers pass through Heathrow, marking one of the busiest periods at the airport.
