Operations at London Luton Airport were suspended from 17:40 to 19:15 BST on August 27, 2026, following a lightning strike that disrupted air traffic control equipment amid severe thunderstorms and flash flooding in southeast England.
Flight Cancellations and Diversions
The suspension led to about 30 flights being cancelled or diverted. Wizz Air flight W95378 from Turin was rerouted to Gatwick Airport, while flight W92601 from Prague was diverted to Stansted Airport. Passenger delays and cancellations affected routes including Venice, Ibiza, Alicante, and Birmingham.
Official Statements on the Incident
A London Luton Airport spokesperson confirmed the suspension and its cause, saying it resulted in “a number of cancellations and diversions.”
The spokesperson added that flights to and from the airport have resumed following the suspension but cautioned that some delays would persist as airlines recover schedules. NATS, the air traffic control services provider, stated: “Severe thunderstorms have affected parts of the south east this evening, causing significant disruption to flights at London Luton and Stansted airports.” The provider apologized for the disruption caused.
Passenger Experiences During Disruption
Gary Nash from Barton-le-Clay, Bedfordshire, had his flight to Alicante cancelled and had to reroute via Birmingham. He described the situation as “chaotic” with hundreds of passengers affected. Kika Rocha from London, whose flight to Ibiza was
cancelled and rebooked to a different destination in Spain, reported that customer service stopped at 20:00 BST, leaving travelers dependent on airport staff. Passenger Jeff Chan, whose flight to Venice was delayed by six hours, said he received airline app updates but “heard nothing from the airport.” He highlighted confusion among families traveling with children about delay durations and accommodation.
Secondary Impacts and Ongoing Consequences
Flooding caused the cancellation of some public transport services, including a bus from Luton Station Parkway, complicating traveler access to the airport. Though the Luton DART shuttle remained operational, road conditions near the airport deteriorated. Airlines continue to address delays
and cancellations as they work to recover schedules after the disruption.
