Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second busiest airport and a major hub for budget airline EasyJet, suffered a water supply outage on the morning of July 26, 2026. The issue affected water availability across both terminals, disrupting passenger services but not flight operations.
Impact on Passenger Facilities and Restaurants
The outage forced closure of all airport restaurants due to the lack of running water. Passengers reported being unable to flush toilets, wash their hands, access hot drinks, or refill water bottles. These disruptions significantly limited the functionality of passenger amenities throughout the terminals.
Contingency Measures and Official Response
Gatwick Airport distributed bottled water to travelers and staff as an emergency measure. The airport
authority stated on social media that the water supply problem was under investigation and that contingency plans were in place to safeguard passenger welfare. “Bottled water is being handed out to passengers and staff, and other contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers,” the airport said.
Cause and Resolution Efforts
SES Water, the regional water supplier, attributed the disruption to a power outage at a nearby water treatment facility in the Horley area, which lowered water pressure and temporarily affected supply to parts of the region, including Gatwick Airport. SES Water confirmed it was collaborating closely with
the airport to restore normal water service as quickly as possible. Despite the ongoing water supply issues, the airport confirmed no impact on scheduled flights.
