A lightning strike affecting Air Traffic Control equipment at Luton Airport led to flight cancellations and diversions this evening, as storms swept across south east England.
Operations were suspended between 5:40pm and 7:15pm, according to a spokesperson for the airport, resulting in "a number of cancellations and diversions".
Flights diverted
Several flights were diverted during the disruption, including Wizz Air flight W95378 from Turin to Luton, which landed at Gatwick airport, and Wizz Air flight W92601 from Prague, which was diverted to Stansted airport.
Roads to and from the airport were flooded during the storm, as flash flooding affected local roads and the airport approach.
Operations resume
"Flights to and from London Luton Airport have now resumed following an earlier suspension of operations caused by a lightning strike affecting Air Traffic Control equipment," the spokesperson told BBC South East.
"The disruption coincided with a period of severe weather across the area, resulting in flash flooding on local roads, and the airport approach."
"As operations return to normal, some flights may continue to experience delays or cancellations as airlines work to recover their schedules."
