The key facts

  • A power surge temporarily disrupted the operation of several systems at Stansted Airport, the airport's press office said
  • Passengers described queues at passport control and waits of more than 90 minutes in a corridor
  • The shuttle remained out of service, with passengers transported between the terminal and the gates by buses

Power surge disrupts airport operations

Passengers arriving at Stansted Airport reported long queues at passport control after a power surgethat temporarily knocked out the airport's systems. BBC News reports this, citing travellers' accounts and a statement from the airport's press office.

What passengers said

Traveller Jill Stakeham told the BBC that the airport's internal tram had previously broken down, and that people “spent more than 90 minutes in the corridor”. According to her, “it was a terrible situation: no communication, no seating, and no one offering water.” She also noted that the airport should have more reliable contingency plans for such situations. Another passenger, Gilles Corby, said the passport control queue stretched all the way to the departure areas, and it took him 45 minutes to reach the entrance to the immigration control zone itself.

The airport's response

Stansted's press office stated that due to a power surge affecting the airport and the surrounding area, a number of systems were temporarily affected, but all of them have already been restored, and operations teams are assisting passengers. Another airport spokesperson confirmed that the shuttle remained out of service due to a technical fault, and passengers are being transported between the terminal and the gates by backup buses. The airport apologised for the disruptions and inconvenience during the restoration of services.

Not the first disruption in the past month

This is no longer an isolated incident: according to BBC News, last Saturday some trains to and from the airport were cancelled due to damage to the overhead power lines, and last month hundreds of people were stuck in the airport corridor after the shuttle for arriving passengers stopped working. Editorially, it can be noted that the repeated failures of the airport's transport infrastructure — the shuttle and the trains — are occurring against the backdrop of passenger complaints about a lack of information and backup solutions; however, the sources do not link the causes of these incidents to one another.

Why it matters

Stansted is one of London's major airports, and its disruptions directly affect thousands of arriving and departing passengers. From the facts presented, it follows that in similar incidents travellers should allow extra time for passing control and take into account that the shuttle may be replaced by buses; at the same time, the question of whether the airport's contingency plans are sufficient, as one passenger pointed out, remains open.

Large crowds inside an airport terminal. The people are queuing for immigration control.Image source, Gilles Corby
Image caption,

Passengers described experiencing long queues to passport control after a power surge at Stansted Airport

People in a long queue backing up some stairs at Stansted Airport. The individuals are waiting and in front of them are glass panels that make up the walls of the airport terminal.Image source, Gilles Corby
Image caption,

People reported that there was a lack of communication by the airport

A number of people queuing in a corridor. There is a sign that reads “Welcome to Stansted” hanging on the wall.Image source, Gilles Corby
Image caption,

The shuttle to and from the main terminal was impacted by the power outage, one passenger said

A crowd of people seen from behind queuing in an airport corridor. Most have bags slung over their shoulders.A blue tit bird, stuck to a wooden stick, surrounded by large green leaves. It is mostly blue, with some green colouring and a white face.A log burner, in a room, with smoke and fire damage. Stacks of wood are to the left. The carpet is burnt and black. A table and green chair can be seen at the back of the room. A wood plinth is above the log burner, which is black.