What’s happening at London Gatwick?
On July 25, 2026, a strike by fuel servicing staff at London Gatwick Airport (LGW) caused significant disruptions to flight operations. This strike involves nine airlines, including Ryanair and Wizz Air, which had to cancel numerous flights due to the inability to refuel their aircraft.
The impact level is rated 3 out of 5, indicating a moderate but significant disruption to normal airport activities. The staff decided to strike to demand better working and contractual conditions, thus delaying normal refueling and effectively blocking the departure of several flights.
At-risk flights and airports
The directly affected airport is London Gatwick (LGW), one of the busiest airports in the UK and a major hub for many European and international routes.
The involved airlines are:
- Ryanair (/airlines/fr/)
- Wizz Air (/airlines/u2/)
- Seven other airlines not yet specified
Flights departing from and arriving at LGW are primarily at risk of delays and cancellations. The impact also extends to connections involving airports across Europe, especially for passengers in transit through Liverpool, Milan, or Rome using this route.
Passenger rights under EU Regulation 261
EU Regulation 261 states that passengers whose flights are canceled or experience significant delays are entitled to assistance, compensation, and information. However, strikes are considered “extraordinary circumstances” if they do not directly depend on the airline and their origin is external and unpredictable.
In the case of a strike by service provider personnel (such as fuel supply), this is often classified as an extraordinary circumstance; therefore, airlines might be exempt from paying financial compensation. However, they are obliged to provide:
- Assistance to passengers, such as meals, drinks, and free communications
- Rebooking on alternative flights or ticket reimbursement
It is essential that passengers promptly contact the airline for information and available options.
Practical advice for passengers
- Check your flight status: Monitor your flight status promptly directly with the airline or through tracking portals like FlightGuard.
- Arrive early at the airport: Operations may slow down significantly, so it is advisable to arrive well in advance.
- Prepare documents and contacts: Keep travel documents and useful customer service numbers at hand.
- Consider alternatives: Evaluate alternative routes avoiding LGW, such as arriving or departing from nearby airports like London Heathrow (/airports/lhr/).
- Stay calm and ask for information: Airport staff are often available to provide updated information and helpful advice.
Conclusions
The strike by fuel servicing personnel at London Gatwick is causing major disruptions with cancellations and delays, especially for Ryanair (/airlines/fr/) and Wizz Air (/airlines/u2/). Passengers should be ready to handle possible changes and know their rights under EU Regulation 261. Being well prepared, continually checking flight status, and considering alternatives can make the difference for a less stressful journey.
Want to know if your next flight is at risk? Check your flight risk on FlightGuard.
