Travel disruptions unfolded at London Heathrow Airport on Tuesday morning after a burst water main caused flooding near Terminals 2 and 3, leading to road closures and significant congestion around the affected areas. The incident, which took place beneath the Inner Ring Road West, forced authorities to temporarily shut lanes adjacent to the terminals, impacting ground transport access.

Airport officials confirmed that the leak had been isolated and repair work was underway to restore normal conditions. In response to the flooding, Heathrow strongly advised travelers to avoid driving to the terminals and instead use rail services such as the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth Line, and the Piccadilly Line. Passengers who must travel by car were directed to use the Park and Ride facilities or access Terminals 4 or 5, then utilize free rail links to reach Terminals 2 and 3. Passengers were also urged to allow additional time for their journeys due to the disruption.

Several travelers reported adjustments to their planned routes due to the flooding. Rahel Staeheli, traveling with her family from central London to Vancouver, said they initially intended to take an Uber but switched to the Tube after learning cars could not reach Terminals 2 and 3. “Now we’re late and hopefully we’re going to catch our flight,” she said. Another passenger, Julie Hamilton, flying from the Isle of Sheppey to New Jersey, indicated she was not notified about the flooding and had to arrive via Terminal 5 followed by a train ride to Terminal 2. Hamilton noted that her airline did not provide prior information about the situation, and she only became aware of the disruption after her father saw news coverage.

The flooding incident follows a similar event in May when a burst water main also caused flooding at the same terminals, leading to the suspension of all trains to and from the airport.

Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights before traveling and to consult with their airlines for updates. Virgin Atlantic, which operates out of Terminal 3, reported all its flights were running as scheduled. British Airways flights were also reported to be operating normally despite the ground transport issues. Heathrow officials apologized for the disruption and stated that teams were working to resolve the situation promptly.