Flights at Luton airport have been suspended until at least 3pm today (Wednesday) after a blaze engulfed part of a multi-storey car park overnight.
More than 60 departing flights mainly affecting EasyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair were suspended and at least 50 arrivals through until 3.30pm, according to the airport website early this morning.
OAG estimates that more than 125 flights have been cancelled, impacting approximately 18,000 passengers, based up-to-the-minute airline schedule data, and assuming flights do resume before 3pm,.
In an update posted at 7.10am today, the airport said: “Emergency services remain on the scene following last night’s fire in Terminal Car Park 2.
“Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff. Therefore, we have now taken the decision to suspend all flights until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted.
“For queries relating to a parked vehicle or future booking please contact luton.customerservices@apcoa.com.
“Passengers should contact their airline for information regarding their flight.”
Efforts are still ongoing to extinguish a serious fire at Luton Airport. We are continuing to protect surrounding airport infrastructure, vehicles and the Luton DART. For anyone whose travel plans may be affected, please refer to the advice being provided by London Luton Airport. pic.twitter.com/tNFo4hvRdX
— Beds Fire and Rescue (@BedsFire) October 11, 2023
Images on social media showed flames coming from third floor of a car park air the airport.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “A severe fire rapidly spread through the structure and the severity of the fire has caused significant structural collapse.
“It is believed that up to 1,200 vehicles may have been in the car park at the time of the fire and subsequently damaged.
“Firefighting operations were undertaken to control the blaze and protect nearby buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and the Luton DART.
“At its peak there were 15 rescue pumps, three aerial appliances and over 100 firefighters on scene at this incident.
“We would like to thank our fire colleagues from Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, and London Fire Brigade along with Bedfordshire Police and East of England Ambulance for their support.
“Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will continue to undertake firefighting operations to help restore travel services to the public as soon as is possible.”
The ambulance service reported treating one member of the public and six firefighters affected by smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire has yet to be identified.
Photo: Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue