Flights suspended at London airport after runway damaged during heat wave

A sign reading “Welcome to Luton” is seen from an aircraft on arrival to Gatwick Airport, London, Britain, May 23, 2022.

Military and civilian flights were disrupted due to the extreme heat in the U.K.

The temperature in London is expected to rise to about 100 degrees on Monday and possibly higher on Tuesday as a heat wave ravages much of Western Europe. Extreme weather such as storms, floods and high temperatures are having a negative effect on the aviation industry.

A surface defect was found on the runway after high temperatures. Repairs are currently underway at the site and operations are expected to return to normal as soon as possible. We apologize for the hassle.

The airport is used by a number of budget airlines.

There was a report of runway damage at BrizeNorton.

Flight safety remains our top priority, so aircraft are using alternative airfields in line with a long established plan. There is no impact on the operations of the Royal Air Force.

The runway has not melted as reported by the media, but theRAF didn't specify why it suspended flights.

The country's largest airport, Heathrow, said it is operating normally despite the heat.