London Gatwick Airport experienced a water supply disruption on Sunday, 26 July 2026, affecting both terminals and passenger services. The issue originated from a water supply problem in the nearby Horley area, which led to a loss of running water throughout the airport. Gatwick, the United Kingdom’s second busiest airport and hub for budget carriers including EasyJet, confirmed the disruption in the morning hours.
Passenger Services Impacted Including Restaurant Closures
The water outage disabled essential passenger facilities such as toilets, sinks, and water fountains, preventing passengers from flushing toilets, washing their hands, or refilling water bottles. In response, all airport restaurants were forced to close on
Sunday, reducing available amenities for travelers. Gatwick Airport distributed bottled water to passengers and staff as an emergency measure and activated contingency plans to maintain passenger welfare amidst the disruption.
Cause of Water Outage and Restoration Efforts
SES Water, the regional water supplier responsible for the Horley area, attributed the disruption to a power outage at a local water treatment facility. This incident reduced water pressure and temporarily cut supply to parts of Horley and Gatwick Airport. The utility company reported that the power failure caused “a number of complications” resulting in low water pressure or complete water loss for some customers. SES Water is collaborating with
Gatwick Airport authorities to restore normal water services as swiftly as possible.
Flight Operations Unaffected as Airport Implements Contingency Measures
Despite the water supply issues, flight operations at Gatwick Airport continued without interruption on 26 July 2026. The airport authority acknowledged the problem’s impact on both terminals, stating: “A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning. The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation.” They also confirmed that bottled water was being handed out and that other contingency measures were in place to safeguard passenger welfare during the outage.
