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Is Luton Airport closed and what should I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
PASSENGERS travelling from Luton Airport are facing disruptions after a horror blaze erupted at one of the car parks.
Here's what you need to know about whether the major London airport is closed and how flights are affected following the inferno.
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Is Luton Airport closed?
On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Luton Airport was forced to close and passengers were urged to stay away after 1,200 vehicles were destroyed when a huge blaze caused a car park to collapse.
The flames ripped through newly-built Terminal Car Park 2 in Luton at around 9pm - with firefighters battling the inferno into the early hours of the morning.
The car park is just a five minute walk away from the airport entrance.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue service said the building suffered "significant structural collapse" as firefighters continued to battle the blaze at 3.57am.
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At the time of writing, passengers are advised not to travel to the airport.
When will flights continue?
Following the incident, all incoming flights were diverted elsewhere and outbound flights were cancelled - however, they are expected to resume today (Wednesday, October 11, 2023).
In a statement on their website at 9am on Wednesday, the airport said: "Our priority remains supporting the emergency services and the safety of our passengers and staff.
"We’re working hard to get the airport operational as soon as possible.
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"All flights are currently suspended until 3pm on Wednesday 11th October.
"Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time, as access remains severely restricted."
As the fire erupted, travellers already on board planes were forced to disembark.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Luton Airport has advised passengers to contact their airline directly regarding their flights.
If your flight is covered under UK law, your airline must let you choose between either getting a refund or an alternative flight, regardless of how far in advance the cancellation was made.
Similarly, under UK law, airlines may have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
However, it is important to note that the airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled or delayed due to reasons beyond their control - for example extreme weather.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
If your flight is delayed, many airlines will provide vouchers for you to buy food and drink.
If you require accommodation, they may also book a hotel and arrange transportation for you.
However, sometimes airlines are unable to arrange care and assistance for all passengers.
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If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, the airline should inform you when you will be able to fly to your destination.
The best way to check if your flights are cancelled or affected by delays is to check the flight number on the airport's website.
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