Hundreds of flights at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports experienced significant delays and dozens of cancellations on Saturday as thunderstorms swept across the region. The disruption, which began Saturday morning, is expected to continue throughout the day, according to the UK's air traffic control service.

The severe weather has forced temporary air traffic control restrictions at both major travel hubs, impacting hundreds of thousands of passengers. Heathrow reported at least 367 delayed flights, while Gatwick saw 352 flights delayed in and out of the airport, according to flight tracking data.

Airlines, including Easyjet and British Airways, have been affected. One passenger reported being stuck on an Easyjet plane at Gatwick for four hours before their flight was cancelled. Another traveler, Adam Joseph, described being stranded at Venice airport due to a four-hour delay on a flight to Gatwick, with concerns about compensation eligibility.

Europe-wide aviation agency Eurocontrol identified Heathrow and Gatwick as the only UK airports currently facing heavy delays linked to the thunderstorms. The most severe air traffic control delays are occurring in the airspace between south-east England and north-western Europe, where the storm clouds are concentrated.

NATS, the UK's air traffic control provider, stated that weather disruption was anticipated for the remainder of the day due to forecasted severe weather across south-east England. Gatwick confirmed that some flights were delayed or cancelled because of ongoing thunderstorms and the temporary air traffic restrictions.

British Airways acknowledged that schedule adjustments were necessary due to air traffic control restrictions caused by adverse weather. The airline apologized for the inconvenience experienced by passengers. Heathrow is advising travelers to verify their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.

Passengers have voiced their frustration on social media, with some facing extended waits and uncertain conditions. The delays vary, with some Easyjet flights showing postponements of up to seven hours, while other airlines like British Airways have also seen significant disruptions.

Flights operating on routes outside the storm's path are generally proceeding on time, indicating the localized nature of the current air traffic control challenges. The situation highlights the vulnerability of air travel to extreme weather events, particularly during peak travel periods.