UK Travel Disrupted By Storm Floris With Numerous Flight Delays And Cancellations Across London, Manchester, Leeds and Other Major Airports: New Update You Need To Know If You Are Planning A Trip

Published on August 4, 2025

The UK is currently facing widespread travel disruption due to Storm Floris, which has caused numerous flight delays and cancellations across major airports including London Heathrow, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, and others. Airlines like easyJet, British Airways, KLM, Jet2, Air Canada, and Delta Air Lines are among the carriers severely affected, with hundreds of passengers facing cancellations or delays. If you’re planning a trip, it is crucial to be aware of how the storm is impacting air travel, especially across major hubs like London, Manchester, and Leeds.

Storm Floris, with its wind speeds reaching up to 85mph, is causing significant disruption to flight schedules, particularly in London Gatwick and London Heathrow, where there are delays and cancellations affecting numerous flights from easyJet, BA Euroflyer, and KLM Cityhopper. For passengers traveling through Manchester and Leeds, airlines such as Jet2, Air Canada, and KLM are facing disruptions, with up to 14 delays reported at Manchester Airport alone.

For those planning to travel, this new update on Storm Floris is essential to help avoid travel frustrations and ensure that you’re fully informed about the ongoing disruptions. Stay tuned for all the latest details on how Storm Floris is affecting UK airports and how it could continue to impact your travel plans in the coming days.

Storm Floris

Storm Floris is a powerful weather system currently sweeping across the UK. Originating in the North Atlantic, Floris has intensified into a significant low-pressure system, bringing severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind gusts reaching up to 85mph. It is the sixth named storm of the 2024-2025 season and has caused widespread disruptions across air, rail, and ferry networks. The storm has prompted weather warnings across various regions of the UK, with conditions expected to continue until Tuesday, with the most intense effects in Scotland and northern England.

History and Origin of Storm Floris

Storm Floris developed rapidly in the mid-Atlantic and was named by the UK Met Office, which follows a naming convention to help the public track severe weather events. This storm follows the pattern of previous major storms, such as Storm Eowyn, which caused similar disruptions earlier in the season. Floris has been notable for its strong winds and extensive reach, affecting travel systems across the UK, especially in coastal and northern areas.

Current Status of Storm Floris

At present, Storm Floris continues to impact the UK. While the storm’s intensity is expected to ease overnight, the worst of the weather—especially high winds and heavy rain—is predicted to last through Monday afternoon and evening. By Tuesday, conditions are expected to improve in the western regions, but the eastern parts of Scotland and northern England may continue to experience severe weather until midday.

Latest Travel Disruptions

Air Travel Disruption

Storm Floris has caused significant disruption to air travel across the UK, affecting multiple airports and airlines. At George Best Belfast City Airport, there was a single delay with BA CityFlyer. Meanwhile, Manchester Airport has experienced more widespread issues, including 14 delays and 6 cancellations. Airlines affected at Manchester include KLM, Eastern Airways, Jet2, easyJet, and Air Canada, with some flights experiencing 100% cancellations.

At Leeds Bradford International Airport, Jet2 reported a delay. London Heathrow and London Gatwick have seen more severe disruption. Heathrow recorded 18 delays and 4 cancellations, with airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, and Delta Air Lines among those impacted. London Gatwick saw 28 delays and 1 cancellation, primarily affecting easyJet, with smaller disruptions for Air China, BA Euroflyer, and Vueling Airlines.

Overall, the storm has led to widespread cancellations, affecting an estimated 30,000 travelers. In addition to flight cancellations, many flights are facing significant delays. Airlines like easyJet, British Airways, and KLM have been the most affected. Passengers are urged to check with their airlines for real-time updates.

Railway Disruption

Train services have also been heavily impacted by Storm Floris. Major train operators like LNER (London North Eastern Railway) and Avanti West Coast have suspended services to and from northern regions, including Newcastle and Preston. ScotRail and TransPennine Express have reported cancellations and delays, affecting key routes in Scotland and northern England. These disruptions have impacted an estimated 15,000 passengers. Key stations such as Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central are operating with reduced schedules, and travelers are advised to expect delays and longer journey times.

Ferry Disruption

Ferry services have also been affected by the storm. CalMac, a key ferry operator in Scotland, has canceled 35 sailings as a result of the severe weather. This has impacted about 10,000 ferry passengers. Other ferry routes across the UK, including services connecting England with France and Spain, are experiencing delays, though the number of cancellations remains relatively lower. Key ports like Southampton and Dover continue to operate, but some delays are expected. Ports in Scotland, particularly those on the west coast, are facing the brunt of the storm, with service disruptions likely to continue until the weather eases.

What Are the Chances of Storm Floris Causing More Disruption?

If Storm Floris intensifies further, the UK could face additional disruptions. Stronger winds—up to 100mph—could result in more severe damage, particularly in coastal areas. This could lead to further airport closures, and train stations could experience complete shutdowns, particularly in Scotland and northern England. Ferry cancellations could escalate, particularly for services operating across the English Channel. If the storm lingers for an extended period, the UK could see significant flooding in low-lying areas, which would further complicate travel and increase the disruption to essential services.

UK’s Annual August Storms and Weather Disruption Patterns

Over the past decade, the frequency and intensity of named storms in the UK have increased. Each year, the country experiences more severe weather events, including major storms like Floris and Eowyn, which lead to widespread travel disruptions. The rise in storm frequency has placed increasing pressure on the UK’s transport infrastructure, which often struggles to cope with the scale of these disruptions. The ongoing trend of more severe storms highlights the need for better preparation and resilience within transport and emergency response systems across the country.

A Look at Past Disruptions in the UK

2024:

• Storm Lilian – Named on August 22, 2024, Lilian was the twelfth named storm of the 2023/24 season. It brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to parts of the UK, causing power outages and transportation disruptions.

2023:

• Storm Antoni – Named on August 4, 2023, Antoni was the first named storm of the 2023/24 season. It brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the UK, leading to travel disruptions and power outages.
• Storm Betty – Named on August 18, 2023, Betty brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, leaving tens of thousands without power and causing significant tree damage.

2022:

• Storm Ellen – Named on August 18, 2020, Ellen brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to parts of the UK, causing travel disruptions and power outages.

Current Travel Advisory

Given the ongoing disruption caused by Storm Floris, the UK government and transport operators are advising travelers to avoid non-essential journeys. Air passengers are urged to check the status of their flights with airlines such as easyJet, British Airways, and KLM, as these are experiencing significant delays and cancellations. Train services are disrupted, particularly routes running north of Newcastle and Preston, so only essential travel should be considered. Ferry passengers should check with operators like CalMac and P&O Ferries for the latest updates before heading to ports.