A UK airport well known to holidaymakers suspended all of its flights for nearly three hours today after the runway tarmac melted in boiling temperatures. Luton Airport, which is used by budget airlines including EasyJet, Ryanair Ryanair and TUI, was the latest victim of the heatwave as temperatures there hit 36C.
Inbound flights are still being diverted while the last flight to take off before suspending flights was believed to have been at 3.07pm, reports the Mirror. By 6pm this evening, the airport confirmed outbound flights were resuming. The airport only has one runway.
One furious passenger tweeted: "How long will this take?!?!?" Another wrote: "They have just closed the runway at Luton airport for at least an hour. We were just about to be pushed back and they stopped everything. Inbound flights are being diverted.”
Read more: Flights at major UK airbase halted as 'runway melts' due to heatwave
A Luton Airport spokesperson said earlier today: "Following today's high temperatures, a surface defect was identified on the runway. Engineers were called immediately to the site and repair works are currently in progress to resume operations as soon as possible. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused."
Meanwhile, flights in and out of its largest air base in the UK, RAF Brize Norton, were also halted because the "runway has melted", according to reports.
It comes as parts of the country could see temperature highs of 42C today as people are advised to "stay indoors and do as little as possible". They've also been told to avoid public transport as the heatwave forces hospitals to cancel appointments and some schools to close.
The soaring temperatures has forced the UK Health Security Agency to issue a level 4 heat-health alert alongside the Met Office red warning running from Monday to Wednesday and the chief executive of the College of Paramedics has warned that the "ferocious heat" could result in people dying.
Earlier today, the highest temperature on record in Wales has now risen to 37.1C in Hawarden, Flintshire, provisional Met Office figures show. By 3pm, the highest recorded temperature was 37.5C (99.5F) at Kew Gardens in west London, according to the Met Office.
Cavendish in Suffolk had reached 37.4C (99.3F), Santon Downham, also in Suffolk, was 37.2C (98.9F) and Wisley, Surrey, saw temperatures of 37.2C (98.9F).
Water companies have warned urgent action is needed to conserve supplies in parts of the UK. Doctors have warned of a danger to life or potential serious illness from the blistering temperatures.
Recommended precautions include avoiding physical exercise, keeping to the shade and maintaining ventilation, drinking plenty of water and using in-date sun cream. People have been warned against using rivers and lakes to cool off due to the dangers of swimming in open water.
Read Next
