Flight chaos continues across Britain after severe thunderstorms triggered major disruption at Heathrow and Gatwick airports over the weekend.
Hundreds of passengers faced delays and cancellations as heavy rain and lightning swept across southern England, causing widespread travel problems. The disruption started late on Saturday when storms forced temporary air traffic restrictions across parts of the UK, slowing both arrivals and departures.
Flight tracking data showed more than 400 delayed flights at Heathrow, while Gatwick recorded over 600 delays as airlines struggled to manage schedules. At the same time, more than 200 flights across both airports were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or searching for alternative routes.
The disruption has carried into Sunday, with airlines warning travellers that more delays and cancellations could follow throughout the day. At Heathrow Airport, British Airways cancelled several flights to major European destinations, including Rome, Amsterdam, Milan and Toulouse.
Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport confirmed multiple cancellations on easyJet routes, with flights to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Belfast and Nice among those affected. Eurocontrol said Heathrow and Gatwick were the only UK airports experiencing heavy delays linked directly to the thunderstorms.
Airport officials explained that dangerous weather conditions forced restrictions on aircraft movement to protect passenger safety. Those restrictions created long knock-on delays, with many flights unable to depart or land on time.
EasyJet said it is working to support affected passengers by offering refunds, rebooking options, hotel stays and meal vouchers where necessary. Travel experts have urged passengers to check flight updates before heading to the airport, as schedules remain unstable.
They also advised travellers to allow extra time for security checks, gate changes and possible boarding delays. The latest disruption follows Britain’s intense heatwave earlier this week, when temperatures climbed close to 38C in several areas.
That extreme heat later sparked violent thunderstorms, bringing flash floods, lightning strikes and transport disruption across England. Forecasters say unsettled weather could continue throughout Sunday, especially around London and the southeast.
The Met Office has warned that more thunderstorms may develop later in the day, raising concerns of further travel problems. For now, airports remain under pressure as thousands of passengers wait for updates and hope conditions improve.
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