Flooding at Heathrow Airport on 15 August 2026 was caused by a burst water main beneath Inner Ring Road West within the Central Terminal Area, which includes Terminals 2 and 3 and other connected buildings. This leak has resulted in flooding that has forced road closures restricting access to Terminals 2 and 3.
As a result, Heathrow Airport has advised passengers not to travel by road to Terminals 2 and 3 today. Alternative access is available via rail services including the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line, and Piccadilly Line. Passengers who must arrive by car are directed to use Park and
Ride facilities at Terminals 4 or 5 and then take free rail services to Terminals 2 and 3.
Official Advisory and Recommendations
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.” He added, “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.” The spokesman also urged passengers to “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.”
Context of Disruption During Peak Travel
The flooding disruption comes during the school summer holidays, a peak period with hundreds of thousands of customers passing through Heathrow. Despite the access restrictions and road closures, there is no flooding inside Terminals 2 or 3 and flights have not been disrupted as of 15 August 2026.
