The aviation sector is anticipating increased disruption to flights as weather systems become more unstable. This follows an incident in late June 2026 when severe thunderstorms over southern England and northern Europe led to significant delays and cancellations at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Approximately 900 flights were delayed, some by up to 11 hours, and dozens more were cancelled. Air traffic controllers reportedly struggled to route aircraft around the storms, causing airspace congestion.
Tim Atkinson, an airline risk consultant, suggests that the crowded skies over the UK and northern Europe make the region particularly vulnerable. He believes there is a risk that all London airports could be simultaneously affected by storms, which could have major consequences.
However, Andrew Charlton, a former airline executive, considers this risk to be low. He expressed confidence in the industry's ability to react well and make good decisions in such scenarios.