London's two biggest airports are at a standstill today, with over 600 flights grounded and cancelled due to severe thunderstorms battering the south east of England. The storms have brought widespread disruption to air travel, affecting routes between south-east England and north-western Europe.
Flight tracking data reveals that 340 flights at Heathrow and 320 at Gatwick are facing delays, with some passengers facing hours-long waits on the ground. An EasyJet flight from Gatwick to Antalya was due to take off at 11:50 BST but will now depart at 18:00. Both British Airways and EasyJet have confirmed the disruptions to their schedules, with EasyJet apologising for the inconvenience and pre-emptively cancelling some flights to minimise disruption.
NATS, the UK's air traffic control service, has warned that weather disruption is expected to continue throughout the day due to severe storms forecasted across south-east England. London Gatwick confirmed that temporary air traffic restrictions were put in place overnight due to ongoing thunderstorms, leading to the current delays and cancellations. Flights within the storm-affected areas are experiencing significant hold-ups, but those on alternative routes outside the immediate storm zone are generally operating as normal.
The intense heat that has gripped parts of eastern and south-eastern England is now being replaced by thunderstorms, with a Met Office amber warning for extreme heat still in place until Sunday morning. However, forecasts suggest the storms will intensify further this afternoon.
Passengers flying from Heathrow or Gatwick today are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. Many airlines offer real-time updates on their websites or apps. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, remember your passenger rights under UK law, which may include assistance with meals and accommodation.
Travel insurance policies typically cover flight delays and cancellations due to adverse weather, but it's essential to review policy details regarding compensation limits and excess fees. The FCDO currently has no specific travel warnings related to these domestic disruptions, but always check their advice for your destination country.
For those heading to European destinations like Antalya, Turkey, British citizens don't require a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Costs for rebooking flights can vary significantly depending on the airline and circumstances.