Heathrow terminals 2 and 3 cut off by road after pipe leak floods site
Airport tells passengers to use rail or Tube as repairs continue and 267,000 travellers pass through in one day
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Heathrow Airport closed road access to terminals 2 and 3 on 15 August 2026 after a pipe leak flooded the central terminal area. The airport told passengers to use rail or Tube instead, as car parks at the two terminals could not be reached by road.
An airport spokesperson said the leak had been isolated and repairs were under way. No time was given for when roads would reopen. The disruption came during the school holidays, when Heathrow handles some of its highest passenger numbers.
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267,000 passengers on busiest day
Heathrow reported that 19 July 2026 was its busiest day of the year so far, with more than 267,000 passengers passing through. The airport typically handles up to 1,300 flights a day, making it one of the world’s busiest.
On social media, travellers asked how to collect relatives from the affected terminals. Heathrow replied that anyone meeting passengers should go to terminal 5 and explain the situation to staff. For wheelchair users, the airport advised parking at terminal 4 or 5 and transferring to terminal 3.
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Which? advises checking airline policies
The consumer group Which? urged passengers to contact their airline if they feared missing flights. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said airlines have different policies on missed flights, and passengers should ask about free rebooking or refunds.
Boland also advised anyone who had booked airport parking but could not use it to contact the provider for a refund or amended booking. He added that travellers should check their insurance for cover on missed flights or extra travel costs.
What happens next
Heathrow has not said when road access to terminals 2 and 3 will reopen. Passengers are advised to check the airport’s website or social media for updates before travelling. Rail and Tube services to Heathrow remain unaffected.
Questions this report answers
+How many passengers were at Heathrow on its busiest day?
Heathrow reported that 19 July 2026 was its busiest day of the year, with more than 267,000 passengers passing through. The airport typically handles up to 1,300 flights daily.
+Can I still drive to terminals 2 and 3 at Heathrow?
No. Road access to terminals 2 and 3 is closed after a pipe leak flooded the central terminal area on 15 August 2026. The airport advised using rail or Tube instead.
+What should I do if I’ve booked parking at Heathrow but can’t reach it?
Which? advised contacting the parking provider to ask for a refund or to amend the booking. Passengers should also check their travel insurance for cover on extra costs.
+Will I get a refund if I miss my flight because of the disruption?
Airlines have different policies on missed flights. Which? said passengers should contact their airline immediately to ask about free rebooking or refunds.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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