Gatwick Airport has been left without running water for the second time this summer during peak travel season. The UK's second busiest airport has been gripped by another water outage just weeks after every restaurant at the hub was forced to close in July after water ran out.
While flights are currently unaffected, some passengers have reported being turned away from restaurants due to the problem, and terminal toilets are said to be shut. Gatwick confirmed this afternoon that a problem with the water company SES Water's supply is affecting the airport.
Passengers report closed facilities
One passenger claimed online that 'all toilets are closed and all restaurants, bars, cafes are not operating, no hot food or drinks available anywhere.' He added that there are 'no notices' about the issue anywhere at the airport.
Another traveller said: 'I'm at Gatwick airport and there's no water in the entire airport, can't even wash your hands, women's toilets can't flush. Restaurants can't serve food. Nightmare for travellers.'
Airport and water company respond
Gatwick Airport said: 'A water issue is causing some disruption in the local area. The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation by SES Water.
'At present, there has been no impact on flights. We will provide further updates and apologise for any inconvenience to passengers.'
SES Water posted on social media: 'We are aware of a burst water main causing no water or low pressure in the Horley RH6 including Gatwick Airport. We have teams on site working hard to fix the issue to return as many customers into supply as we can while we work on the repair.'
Anthony Rochester, SES Water's head of networks, said: 'We have a burst water main which is temporarily affecting supply including to Gatwick Airport.
'Our teams are on site and working to repair the burst as quickly and safely as possible. We are sorry for the disruption this is causing customers and will continue to provide updates.'
Scale of disruption at Gatwick
Around 117,000 to 118,000 passengers travel through Gatwick in Crawley, West Sussex, daily, amounting to around 42 million people last year. August is one of the busiest seasons at the hub, with a plane landing or taking off roughly every 95 seconds.
It has more than 30 restaurants, pubs, cafes and takeaway spots between the North and South Terminals.
