Bristol Airport closes after thunderstorm damage disrupts flights

Bristol Airport was closed to arriving and departing aircraft on Tuesday after thunderstorms damaged air traffic communications systems, disrupting flights across the UK travel network.

Passengers were told to contact their airlines as engineers investigated the fault. Reported effects included cancellations and diversions.

What happened

The airport said an electrical storm caused damage to its air traffic communications equipment. The Guardian reported that the storm affected both primary and backup systems.

First reports of the disruption emerged early on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with flights grounded while the airport assessed the damage and worked to restore operations.

Travel disruption

The closure affected passengers using Bristol Airport for arrivals and departures, with knock-on disruption for airlines and other UK travel plans.

Bristol is a major airport serving the city and the wider South West of England, so the shutdown has the potential to affect a wide group of domestic and international travellers.

What happens next

The main questions are how long repairs will take, when the airport can reopen, and how many flights were cancelled or diverted before service resumes.

Passengers with bookings were advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest flight information and any rebooking or refund arrangements.