Landings and takeoffs have been temporarily suspended at London’s Luton Airport today after extreme heat damaged the terminal’s runways, according to R. The problem is the result of a heatwave hitting part of Europe.
Thermometers hit nearly 40C in the UK on Monday so if you’re traveling soon or heading to England keep an eye out for transport services (in addition to preparing for the heat).
The airport told R that flights were suspended for about two hours while “a critical runway repair was carried out after high surface temperatures caused a small section to lift off.”
According to FlightRadar24, around 14 flights were diverted to other airports during this period.
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At Brize Norton Air Force Base, about 120 km from London, the Royal Air Force (RAF) confirmed to R that they were using alternative airfields after being told the runway had melted from the heat.
“During this period of extreme temperatures, flight safety remains a top priority for the RAF, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in accordance with a longstanding plan. This means there will be no impact on RAF operations,” the Ministry of Defense said.
rail network
Excessive heat has also impacted the UK’s rail infrastructure, so the policy is that passengers only travel when absolutely necessary. For example, the London Underground had to reduce vehicle speeds, causing service to be slower.
Network Rail company has posted on social media explaining how the tracks have been affected by the heat, causing journeys to be disrupted. At high temperatures, the track expands and can bend, making trains unsafe to operate. See below:
🚧 The East Coast Main Line will be closed on Tuesday, July 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for your safety.
❌ There are no services between London King’s Cross and York and Leeds.
⚠️ We warn you not to travel this Tuesday:
➡️ https://t.co/SbbG1U8QRU#heatwave #heatwaveuk pic.twitter.com/TX1bpxaiDy
Network Rail (@networkrail) July 18, 2022