Bristol Airport was forced to close on Monday night after a severe electrical storm disrupted all communication with air traffic control, grounding all flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The airport announced on its website that it remains closed to arriving and departing aircraft while engineers investigate a fault with the Air Traffic Control systems.
Flights Grounded and Diverted
Inbound flights are now either circling in holding patterns or diverting to alternative airfields. According to reports, approximately 850 passengers—equivalent to five full flights—are being diverted from Bristol to Gatwick Airport. EasyJet has reportedly arranged coaches to transport affected passengers back to Bristol.
Bristol Airport advised passengers to contact their airline for specific flight queries and to double-check before traveling. The airport stated: "Following the earlier electrical storm, Bristol Airport remains closed to arriving and departing aircraft whilst engineers investigate a fault with Air Traffic Control systems. Customers should contact their airline with any specific flight queries."
Ongoing Disruption
The airport, which typically handles around 725,000 passengers during peak periods, is expected to face continued disruption as engineers work to resolve the technical issue. The Met Office had earlier warned of thunderstorms across parts of the UK, with the storm causing significant operational challenges at the airport.
Passengers are urged to monitor their airline's updates and make alternative arrangements if necessary. The airport has not provided a timeline for when normal operations might resume.
