STN: Power Surge Knocks Out Security and Baggage Systems at London Stansted

LONDON, United Kingdom — October 26, 2026 — A power surge at London Stansted (STN) on Sunday, October 25, knocked out security screening and baggage systems. About 250 flights were delayed and six were cancelled, and passengers reported waiting hours to get through security. The airport said all systems were back in service by Sunday evening.

What happened

Cause: The airport said a power surge hit the airport and the surrounding area. A spokesperson said “a number of airport systems were temporarily impacted.” The exact time of the surge has not been published.
Systems hit: Security screening and baggage handling. Photos showed crowded queues at security, in arrivals and on the escalators to passport control.
Flights: About 250 delays and six cancellations on Sunday, according to Flightradar24 data cited by Sky News. It is not clear how many were caused by the surge alone, since Storm Boelo was also hitting the UK that day.
Airlines: Travel Tourister named Ryanair as the hardest hit, followed by easyJet, with Jet2, Wizz Air and Loganair also affected. The airport did not name airlines.
Recovery: Stansted said all affected systems were back by Sunday evening. Some delayed flights were still running off schedule after that.

A rough few days for getting to Stansted

Rail: Fallen trees near Stansted Mountfitchet on October 23 and 24 damaged power and overhead lines. Greater Anglia cancelled dozens of Stansted Express trains over the weekend, and some trains were diverted away from Tottenham Hale before 7 a.m. on October 25.
Terminal shuttle: A fault on Friday, October 23, stopped the airport’s internal transit train, and some passengers waited for replacement buses.

What it means for travelers

Expect fuller flights early this week. Passengers from cancelled and badly delayed flights are being rebooked, so Ryanair and easyJet flights out of STN may be tighter than usual for a day or two.
Allow extra time for security. Systems are back, but the airport has had several problems in a few days. Give yourself a bigger buffer than normal.
Carry on if you can. A baggage system outage can leave checked bags behind even after the flight leaves.
Check the Stansted Express before you go. Storm damage disrupted the line over the weekend. Have a coach or taxi backup.
Have an alternate London airport in mind. If STN has another problem, Luton or Gatwick may give you more options, depending on your airline.