Bristol Airport Shut Down After Severe Thunderstorms
Bristol Airport has been forced to close after flash thunderstorms on Monday night, June 22, damaged ground radar and communication systems, grounding all flights. Inrix, a traffic monitoring service, reported the closure at 6.53pm BST, stating that all flights are currently grounded due to the storms. Inbound flights are either holding in patterns or diverting to alternate airfields.
Passengers Stranded Without Information
According to the Bristol Post, the airport has been criticized for a lack of communication with travelers. One passenger's partner told the newspaper: "I have a partner stuck at the Airport. She just said that all shops were closed so people can't buy food or drinks, no information was given to passengers via intercom or anything, people can't get their luggage or know what to do. Absolute shambles."
Diverted Flights and Coaches Provided
Earlier reports indicated that 850 passengers—equivalent to five flights—were diverted from Bristol to Gatwick Airport. EasyJet reportedly provided coaches to bring those passengers back to Bristol, ensuring they could eventually reach their intended destination.
Airport Advises Passengers to Contact Airlines
Bristol Airport advised passengers to contact their airline and double-check before traveling. The airport typically handles around 725,000 passengers during peak periods, but the closure has caused significant disruption.
Live Updates and Ongoing Situation
The closure came after summer thunderstorms lashed the region. Inrix's alert at 6.53pm BST read: "Disruption at Bristol Airport as flights are currently grounded due to flash thunderstorms." The airport remains closed as crews work to repair the damaged systems.
