On 27 August 2026, a lightning strike on air traffic control systems at London Luton Airport forced a suspension of flight operations between 17:40 and 19:15 BST.
During this period, approximately 30 flights were cancelled or diverted. Notably, Wizz Air flight W95378 arriving from Turin was redirected to Gatwick Airport, while Wizz Air flight W92601 from Prague was diverted to Stansted Airport.
The disruption coincided with severe thunderstorms affecting South East England, which caused flash flooding on local roads and the airport’s approach. Flooding also affected bus services to Luton Airport Parkway, complicating passenger transfers.
Several passengers shared their experiences.
Gary Nash from Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, had a flight to Alicante cancelled and had to travel to Birmingham to catch an alternative flight for a family funeral. Kika Rocha of London faced a holiday flight cancellation to Ibiza and was rebooked on a different flight to Spain amid chaotic conditions inside the airport. Jeff Chan, scheduled to fly to Venice at 20:50, experienced a six-hour delay and noted widespread confusion, particularly among families with children.
A London Luton Airport spokesperson confirmed the suspension was due to a lightning strike affecting air traffic control equipment, stating flights have since resumed. The spokesperson
acknowledged ongoing delays or cancellations as airlines continue adjusting schedules, adding that the disruption coincided with flash flooding on roads around the airport. The spokesperson expressed apologies to affected passengers.
NATS, the air traffic control service provider, said severe thunderstorms caused significant disruption at both Luton and Stansted airports. A NATS spokesperson also issued an apology for the disruption caused.
Passengers experienced confusion during the disruption, compounded by a lack of timely information and cancelled airport bus services due to flooding. Airport customer service ceased operation by 20:00 BST, leaving travelers reliant on airport staff assistance amid continuing flight delays
and cancellations.
