A water supply failure is causing operational disruption at both terminals of Gatwick Airport, impacting passenger services and potentially affecting cargo ground handling and catering logistics.
According to a statement from Gatwick Airport on X, the water supply problem in the Horley area is under investigation. The airport apologised for the disruption, which has resulted in toilets reported to be out of order and restaurants closed across both terminals. Bottled water is being made available to passengers and staff, and contingency measures have been put in place.
Affected Services and Logistics Impact
The water supply interruption directly affects passenger amenities, but it also has knock-on effects for air cargo and ground handling operations. Catering providers, aircraft cleaning crews, and other logistics service providers that rely on potable water may face delays. Freight forwarders and cargo handlers using the airport should be aware that ground service capacity could be constrained until normal water supply is restored.
| Service | Status |
|---|---|
| Toilets in both terminals | Out of order |
| Restaurants in both terminals | Closed |
| Bottled water distribution | Active |
| Contingency measures | Implemented |
Root Cause and Restoration Timeline
SES Water, the water company covering parts of Kent, Surrey, south London, and the airport, said it is working to restore normal service. A spokesperson for SES Water explained that the disruption is due to complications caused by a power outage at their Bough Beech Water Treatment Works. Some customers are experiencing low water pressure or temporary loss of supply. The spokesperson confirmed that Gatwick Airport is affected and added: "We are working with them while our teams work to restore normal service as quickly as possible."
Implications for Shippers and Operators
For logistics operators, the immediate priority is maintaining cargo throughput. While passenger-facing disruptions are visible, similar issues can affect air freight if cleaning, catering, or fire suppression systems are compromised. Shippers moving time-sensitive goods through Gatwick should monitor the situation closely and consider alternative routing if the disruption persists. Freight forwarders should coordinate with ground handlers to verify that cargo facilities remain operational.
Watch List
- Restoration timeline from SES Water: the company has not provided an estimated time for full service recovery.
- Potential escalation if low pressure affects fire suppression systems or other critical infrastructure at the airport.
- Broader impact on flight operations if water supply is not restored within 24-48 hours, as aircraft catering and lavatory servicing may be affected.
