Stansted Airport power surge on 25 October 2026: long queues and around 250 flights delayed

What happened

According to BBC News, a power surge affected the airport and the surrounding area on Sunday. An airport spokesperson said a number of airport systems were temporarily impacted. Eastern Eye reported that security, baggage and other systems were disrupted. Passengers told the BBC that queues for passport control stretched back into the terminal, that it took around 45 minutes just to reach the start of the immigration queue, and that some arriving passengers were held in a corridor for more than 90 minutes.

Stansted apologised for the disruption and said its operational teams were supporting passengers. By Sunday evening it said all systems were back in service. Separately, the BBC reported that the shuttle service between the terminal and the gates was still out of action because of a technical fault, with replacement buses running.

A difficult weekend for Stansted passengers

The surge came during a weekend of severe weather from Storm Boelo. Eastern Eye reported that Greater Anglia cancelled dozens of Stansted Express services after fallen trees damaged railway infrastructure near the airport, and that a fault on the airport's internal transit train on Friday had already left some passengers waiting for replacement buses. The BBC also reported train cancellations on Saturday after damage to overhead power lines.

Because the power surge, the storm and the rail problems overlapped, the cause of any individual delay or cancellation on 25 October may differ from one flight to another.

What it means if you are flying

The airport says the systems are working again, but delays can take time to clear after a disruption of this kind. If you are flying from Stansted in the coming days, check your flight status with your airline and check rail services before you set off, and allow extra time at the airport.

Your rights

If your flight arrived 3 hours or more late, or was cancelled less than 14 days before departure, fixed compensation of £220, £350 or £520 per passenger may be due under UK261, or €250, €400 or €600 under EU261 where it applies. A failure of airport systems or severe weather is often treated as an extraordinary circumstance, in which case compensation may not be due, but this depends on the facts of each flight, including whether the delay was really caused by the surge. Whatever the cause, the airline must offer care during long delays, such as meals and, if needed, a hotel. Keep your receipts.

If your flight was disrupted, FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

What happened at Stansted Airport on 25 October 2026?

A power surge temporarily affected several airport systems, causing long queues at security and passport control, according to BBC News. The airport said all systems were back in service by Sunday evening.

How many flights were affected at Stansted?

Eastern Eye, citing Flightradar24 data, reported around 250 delayed and six cancelled flights on Sunday. It is not known how many were linked to the power surge.