Stansted power surge hits airport as 250 flights delayed

A power surge knocked out security and baggage systems at London Stansted Airport on Sunday 25 October 2026, leaving passengers in long queues and disrupting flights. Around 250 services were delayed and six cancelled during the day, according to Flightradar24 figures reported by Sky News. The airport said its affected systems were back in service by the evening.

The electrical disturbance struck the airport and surrounding area, interrupting checks at one of Britain’s busiest gateways for European flights. Travellers faced delays moving through the terminal, while airlines worked through a disrupted departure schedule.

Security queues build as Stansted systems fail

Stansted confirmed the power surge in a statement to Sky News. Security screening and baggage handling were affected, leaving passengers waiting as airport teams worked to restore the equipment. By Sunday evening, the airport said all affected systems were back in service and apologised to travellers.

Flight-tracking data cited by Sky News showed the scale of disruption: some 250 delays and six cancellations on Sunday. The totals cover the day’s affected flights rather than a breakdown of how many were delayed specifically by the power surge.

Restarting equipment did not immediately undo the knock-on effects. Passengers still needed to clear security, reach their gates and find out whether their aircraft would depart on time.

Passengers caught in queues and a shuttle breakdown

Problems extended to arriving passengers. BBC News reported that one traveller waited more than 90 minutes in a corridor after an internal transit failure, while another faced a 45-minute wait just to reach the passport-control queue.

The airport’s shuttle linking the terminal with the gates was also out of service because of a technical fault, according to a further statement reported by the BBC. Replacement buses were taking passengers between the buildings. That problem persisted beyond the announcement that other airport systems had been restored.

There was disruption on the journey to Stansted, too. Over the weekend, fallen trees damaged overhead wires near Stansted Mountfitchet, affecting Stansted Express rail services. The railway damage came during Storm Boelo, but was separate from the power surge reported inside the airport. The wider storm also disrupted flights elsewhere in Britain.

What Stansted passengers can claim after the disruption

For passengers whose flights were cancelled, the UK Civil Aviation Authority says airlines must offer a refund or alternative travel when UK passenger-rights rules apply. They must also provide appropriate care, including refreshments and overnight accommodation where necessary.

Travellers delayed for several hours may also qualify for assistance. Fixed compensation depends on the cause of the delay and the circumstances of the flight; disruption outside an airline’s control can affect eligibility.

Missing a departure because of airport security queues is different. The CAA advises that airlines are unlikely to owe a free replacement flight solely because a passenger could not get through security in time. Anyone affected should contact their airline, check their travel insurance and retain receipts.

Stansted’s announcement brought the electrical outage to an end on Sunday evening. For travellers whose flights had already been delayed or cancelled, getting home or reaching their destination remained the immediate concern.