Gatwick Airport experienced a significant water outage on Sunday, July 26, 2026, when mains water supply stopped across much of the airport. The outage resulted from a power failure at Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, affecting not only Gatwick but nearby regions in South East England. The loss of water forced the closure of toilets and airport restaurants, suspending multiple passenger services.
Water Supply Restored and Services Resume
By Monday morning, July 27, 2026, the water supply at Gatwick Airport was fully restored. Gatwick Airport confirmed that all toilet facilities and food and beverage outlets reopened and that normal operations resumed. SES Water, the airport’s water
supplier, issued an apology for the disruption and thanked customers for their patience during restoration efforts.
Passenger Refunds and Complaint Procedures
Consumer expert Vix Leyton of thinkmoney advised passengers affected by the outage to keep receipts for extra costs and document the disruption. She recommended passengers submit complaints directly to the airport, as documented claims can increase the chances of refunds. Ms. Leyton emphasized that passengers who prepaid for services such as meals, lounges, showers, or treatments that were unavailable due to the outage should request refunds.
“If the company refuses, card users can ask their bank about chargeback,” Ms. Leyton said. She pointed out
that Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may aid credit card purchases exceeding £100, although many airport booking amounts fall below this threshold.
Limits on Compensation for Inconvenience
Ms. Leyton noted that compensation for general inconvenience caused by the water outage is unlikely. She stated that refunds for undelivered services are more realistic than payouts for discomfort during the airport experience. Passengers who missed flights due to the outage face additional challenges obtaining compensation since flight delay regulations primarily cover airline faults.
Flight Disruption Rights and Record-Keeping
Passengers who missed flights because of the outage should be aware that they need to prove fault and reasonable efforts to
reach the flight to seek compensation from responsible parties. Travel insurance may not cover missed flights caused by airport service failures. Ms. Leyton urged travelers to maintain thorough records during disruptions, including speaking with staff, obtaining names or reference numbers, and keeping receipts, as multiple parties involved in airport failures may shift responsibility.
Gatwick Airport and SES Water continue to monitor water supply stability following the incident.
