A lightning strike on air traffic control systems at London Luton Airport on August 27, 2026, forced a suspension of airport operations from 17:40 to 19:15 BST. Approximately 30 flights were cancelled or diverted during this period as the airport halted flight landings and departures.
Severe Weather Affects Luton and Stansted
The lightning strike coincided with severe thunderstorms causing flash flooding on roads near the airport and the airport approach. This period of intense weather also disrupted operations at neighboring Stansted Airport, affecting the wider southeast England airspace.
Flight Diversions Impact Specific Routes
Some inbound Wizz Air flights were diverted due to the disruption. Flight W95378 from Turin was rerouted to
Gatwick Airport, while flight W92601 from Prague landed at Stansted Airport instead of Luton. These changes were part of the approximately 30 cancellations and diversions that occurred throughout the suspension.
Passengers Report Cancellations, Delays, and Chaotic Conditions
Passenger Gary Nash from Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, had his flight to Alicante, Spain, cancelled and instead traveled over 70 miles to Birmingham to catch an alternative flight. Nash described the situation as “chaotic” given the number of cancellations affecting hundreds of passengers.
Kika Rocha from London, whose flight to Ibiza was also cancelled, said customer services ceased at 20:00, leaving passengers to rely on airport staff for assistance. She was rebooked
for a flight the next day to a different destination in Spain amid ongoing confusion.
Jeff Chan, scheduled to fly to Venice at 20:50, experienced a six-hour delay. Chan noted disruptions extended to ground transport, with his bus from Luton Station Parkway cancelled due to flooding. He described widespread passenger uncertainty with families unsure about the length of delays or overnight stays.
Official Statements Confirm Cause and Apologize for Disruption
A London Luton Airport spokesperson confirmed the lightning strike disabled air traffic control equipment, prompting the suspension from 17:40 to 19:15 BST and resulting cancellations and diversions. The spokesperson confirmed flights resumed after the suspension and expressed regret
for the inconvenience, urging passengers to check with airlines for updates.
NATS, the air traffic control operator, confirmed that severe thunderstorms impacted operations at both Luton and Stansted airports. NATS apologized for the disruption and confirmed that while flights have resumed, airlines face ongoing challenges recovering schedules following the disruption.
Some flights continued to experience delays or cancellations after operations resumed as airlines worked to restore normal scheduling.
