Travelers Face Chaos as Gatwick Airport Hit by Second Water Outage This Summer

Travelers at London Gatwick Airport are once again facing significant disruption as the UK’s second-busiest travel hub has been left without running water for the second time in just over a month.

The outage, which began this afternoon, has forced the closure of multiple toilets and severely hampered the operations of various food and beverage outlets. While airport authorities have confirmed that flight schedules remain unaffected by the incident, the loss of basic amenities has created a “nightmare” scenario for thousands of passengers currently navigating the terminal.

A “Nightmare” for Passengers

Reports from the terminal describe a chaotic scene, with many passengers complaining of a lack of clear communication regarding the issue. One traveler took to social media to vent their frustration, claiming, “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. It’s a nightmare.”

Other travelers reported being turned away from bars and restaurants, which have been unable to prepare hot food or drinks. In the North Terminal, food outlets have been reduced to acting as seating areas only, and several restroom facilities have been roped off to prevent use.

Infrastructure Failure

The widespread disruption stems from a burst water main in the local area, which has compromised the supply to both terminals. SES Water, the utility provider responsible for the region, confirmed they are on-site attempting to resolve the failure.

“We are aware of a burst water main causing no water or low pressure in the Horley area, including Gatwick Airport,” SES Water stated on X (formerly Twitter). Anthony Rochester, the company’s head of networks, added: “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.”

Recurring Issues

This latest incident follows a similar, high-profile failure in late July that forced every restaurant at the airport to shutter its doors. With August marking one of the busiest months for the hub—serving an average of over 117,000 passengers daily with a flight taking off or landing every 95 seconds—the recurring failure has drawn sharp criticism regarding the airport’s infrastructure resilience.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport issued a brief statement: “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 apologize for any inconvenience to passengers.”

As repair crews work to restore the supply, passengers are advised to prepare for limited facilities and to keep an eye on airport notice boards for the latest information.