Overview
- A lightning strike during severe thunderstorms knocked out Luton Airport's air traffic control equipment, prompting a suspension of operations between 5:40pm and 7:15pm on Thursday and triggering cancellations and diversions.
- Two inbound Wizz Air jets running low on reserve fuel declared emergencies during extended holds, transmitted priority squawks and diverted to Gatwick and Stansted, where both aircraft landed safely with no reported injuries.
- Torrential rain caused flash flooding on roads to the airport, leaving passengers stranded and complicating onward travel for many holidaymakers.
- East Midlands Airport received an unexpected surge of diverted flights, airlines continue to reorganise crews and aircraft, and some journeys remain delayed or cancelled as carriers assist passengers with re-routing.
- Aviation authorities and Wizz Air have opened standard post-incident reviews into the handling of the diversions, and the Met Office's yellow warning for thunder and heavy rain covering the region stays in force into the next day.