Gatwick Airport halts all terminal operations following major water supply failure

Gatwick AirpoSources said a widespread water supply failure hit both terminals on July 26, 2026, disrupting passenger services and forcing the closure of restaurants alongside the loss of sanitation facilities.

Airport officials confirmed the outage affected amenities across the site, prompting operational workarounds as staff sought to manage crowds in areas where basic services were no longer functioning.

Power outage at Bough Beech treatment works linked to disruption

Officials said the disruption was linked to a power outage at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works, a facility that supplies the Horley area and Gatwick Airport. The site’s reliance on that treatment plant meant technical complications there immediately affected water distribution across the airport.

SES Water said the power failure led to low pressure and temporary losses of supply. The utility provider said the airport introduced contingency measures as a result, while restoration depended on resolving the power-related issues at the treatment works.

Airlines adjust passenger handling as facilities remain limited

Airlines operating from Gatwick began tightening ground processes to reduce congestion inside the terminals. EasyJet was among the carriers that restricted bag drop operations to two hours before departure, a move aimed at controlling passenger flow during the disruption.

Passengers were advised not to arrive early, as officials sought to prevent overcrowding in areas where restaurants were closed and sanitation facilities were unavailable. The guidance was positioned as a practical step to keep the affected terminal spaces manageable while water supply remained unstable.

Contingency measures include bottled water, but access varies

Bottled water was allocated for distribution, according to the information provided. However, reports indicated access was inconsistent for travelers, adding friction to terminal operations and contributing to bottlenecks.

The airport’s ability to handle normal passenger volumes was reduced throughout the day, with the loss of water-dependent services limiting how many people could be comfortably processed and accommodated. Officials indicated the underlying constraint remained the same: normal operations were tied to the return of stable water pressure and supply.

Service restoration remained contingent on SES Water resolving the power-related problems at the Bough Beech Water Treatment Works. Until that work is completed and normal distribution resumes, the airpoSources said contingency measures would continue to shape on-the-ground operations.