A major airport has been forced to close after thunderstorms knocked out all communication with air traffic control - with all flights currently grounded.

00:58, Tue, Jun 23, 2026 Updated: 00:58, Tue, Jun 23, 2026

Bristol Airport

Bristol Airport is expected to welcome around 725,000 passengers through its terminal (Image: Getty Images)

Flights Depart From Bristol Airport Ahead Of New UK Travel Rules

Bristol Airport departures lounge (Image: Getty)

A major airport has been forced to shut after thunderstorms disrupted all communication with air traffic control.

On its website, the airport said: "Following the earlier electrical storm, Bristol Airport remains closed to arriving and departing aircraft whilst engineers investigate a fault with Air Traffic Control systems. Customers should contact their airline with any specific flight queries."

Inbound flights are now either circling in holding patterns or diverting to alternative airfields.

Bristol Airport told the BBC that passengers should contact their airline and to double check before they travel.

The update follows earlier reports that 850 passengers - five flights' worth - are being diverted from Bristol to Gatwick airport, with EasyJet reportedly providing coaches back to Bristol.

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Earlier reports of disruption to air traffic revealed that 850 passengers - or five flights - were diverted from Bristol to Gatwick Airport.It is understood that EasyJet provided coaches back to Bristol to ensure passengers would eventually arrive at their intended destination.

Aviation tracker confirms airport closure

Traffic monitoring program Inrix first reported issues at Bristol Airport just before 7pm in the wake of summer thunderstorms.

The 6.53pm alert read: "Disruption at Bristol Airport as flights are currently grounded due to flash thunderstorms."

It also urged passengers to double check with their airline ""before they travel".

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