Lightning strike disrupts flights at Luton Airport
A lightning strike at London's Luton Airport damaged air traffic control systems, leading to flight cancellations and diversions. The disruption occurred during a period of severe weather that also caused local flash flooding.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical airport infrastructure to extreme weather events, causing significant travel disruption for passengers.
Image source, Jeff Chan Image caption, Flights leaving the airport are experiencing delays and cancellations due to the earlier disruption
A lightning strike on air traffic control systems at Luton Airport has affected flight landings and schedules.
A spokesperson for the airport said operations were suspended between 17:40 and 19:15 BST, "resulting in a number of cancellations and diversions" to about 30 flights.
The disruption had coincided with a "period of severe weather" in the area that had resulted in flash flooding, they added.
The airport apologised for any inconvenience and said on Friday it was "open and fully operational" - but advised passengers to check flight status with airlines.
The air traffic control services provider NATS said severe thunderstorms had affected services at both Luton and Stansted airports.
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