Passengers have been left stranded on planes at Stansted airport as flights are cancelled after lightning struck a fuel tank.
Flights were forced to remain grounded after the lightning strikes reportedly ruined the airport’s fuelling system.
Scenes of chaos broke out this morning at the terminal as passengers arrived to find their planes were cancelled.
Scenes of chaos broke out this morning at the terminal as passengers arrived to find their planes were cancelled
The dramatic thunderstorms from overnight are apparently to blame and flights are likely to be affected throughout the day
The dramatic thunderstorms from overnight are apparently to blame and flights are likely to be affected throughout the day.
One passenger tweeted: ‘All we been told is no fuel in Stansted due to fuel tank being struck by lightnight.’
Another wrote: ‘Plane getting hot and stuffy as we wait for fuel as Stansted Airport fuel system broken.’
And Cathy Winston wrote on Twitter: ‘Airport now closed to incoming planes, nothing has taken off today & still no fuel available for the dozens sitting by gate.
Apparently engineers working on the problem but no word on when/if they might succeed.’
Flights were forced to remain grounded after the lightning strikes reportedly ruined the airport’s fuelling system
An airport spokeswoman confirmed this morning that the aircraft fuelling system had been restored. Yet flights could still be diverted, delayed or even cancelled, with passengers being advised to check with their airline for updates
An airport spokeswoman reportedly confirmed to the Mirror Online this morning that the aircraft fuelling system had been restored.
Yet flights could still be diverted, delayed or even cancelled, with passengers being advised to check with their airline for updates.
Twelve cancellations have been listed so far and only four out of 50 journeys listed to depart before 8.15am have flown.
A statement from the airport said: ‘Due to an earlier lightning strike, the aircraft fuelling system was unavailable for a period this morning.
‘Engineers have been on site and have now restored the system, however flights may still be subject to diversion, delay or cancellation.
‘We apologise for the inconvenience and advise all passengers to check with their airlines for their latest flight updates.’