Operations at London Luton Airport were suspended between 17:40 and 19:15 BST on August 27, 2026, after a lightning strike damaged air traffic control systems, resulting in cancellations and diversions for about 30 flights.
Among the affected flights, Wizz Air flight W95378 from Turin was diverted to Gatwick Airport, while Wizz Air flight W92601 from Prague was rerouted to Stansted Airport. Additional cancellations and diversions caused delays across various routes including flights scheduled for Venice and Alicante.
Severe Weather and Local Flooding Compound Disruption
Severe thunderstorms accompanied by intense lightning struck South East England on the same day, leading to flash flooding on local roads and affecting
access routes to the airport. The adverse conditions also contributed to disruptions at both Luton and nearby Stansted airports, according to air traffic control provider NATS.
Passenger Delays and Airport Chaos
Passengers faced lengthy delays and chaotic conditions inside Luton Airport as services struggled to manage the fallout. Transportation links, including local bus services, were disrupted by flooding, although the Luton DART shuttle remained operational. Customer service support reportedly ceased after 20:00 BST, leaving travelers reliant on airport staff for assistance.
Passenger Accounts Reflect Widespread Confusion
Gary Nash from Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, experienced cancellation of his flight to Alicante, forcing him to travel via Birmingham to reach his destination on time.
Nash described the situation as chaotic given the volume of cancelled flights.
Kika Rocha from London had her Ibiza holiday flight cancelled and was rebooked for a different Spanish city the following day, describing the scene inside the airport as “pretty chaotic” due to limited information and halted customer service.
Jeff Chan, whose flight to Venice was delayed by six hours, reported a lack of communication from the airport and canceled public transport due to flooding, although he noted the shuttle remained functional. He highlighted confusion among passengers, especially those traveling with children, about the duration of delays.
Official Statements Confirm Resumption of Flights
A London
Luton Airport spokesperson confirmed the suspension of operations from 17:40 to 19:15 BST caused cancellations and diversions affecting approximately 30 flights and apologized to passengers impacted. The spokesperson noted flights resumed after the suspension, but some continued to experience delays as airlines recovered schedules.
NATS also issued a statement handling both Luton and Stansted operations, attributing the disruption to severe thunderstorms and a lightning strike affecting air traffic control equipment, and expressed regret for the interruptions.
