Severe thunderstorms on June 28, 2026, significantly disrupted flight operations across London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The storms led to widespread flight cancellations and delays, severely impacting air traffic in and out of two of the UK’s busiest airports.
More than 900 flights faced disruption that day, resulting in approximately 40,000 passengers being stranded. These cancellations and delays occurred as the abrupt weather shift caught operations off guard, creating challenges for ground handling and air traffic management.
Impact on Travel and Operations
The thunderstorms marked an abrupt end to a recent UK heatwave, adding to the complexity of managing airport operations under rapidly changing weather
conditions. The sudden storm led to operational challenges that continued throughout the day, affecting both domestic and international services.
Passengers impacted by cancellations and delays have had to adjust their travel plans amid ongoing disruption. The circumstances illustrate how volatile weather events can quickly affect airport capacity and passenger movements, particularly during peak travel periods.
Travelers scheduled to use Heathrow and Gatwick on June 28 are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and to allow extra time at the airport due to potential delays and extended processing times.
