Major disruption at London Stansted airport following fire

In the night from Tuesday, 23 to Wednesday, 24 September 2025, a fire caused numerous delays at London Stansted airport. While the fire has been extinguished and the airport has since resumed operations, delays can still be expected.

At 3:30 am local time, a fire broke out in the Escape Lounge, part of the main departures area of Stansted Airport. While there was a noticeable amount of smoke, the fire is said to have been small, and the Airport Fire Service quickly managed to extinguish the flames. However, due to the amount of smoke, the area needed to be fully evacuated, and no passengers were allowed through.

For about two hours on end, all travellers had to stay outside the terminal building. Normally speaking, thousands of passengers should have been going through security during that time.

“Following the fire in our Escape Lounge earlier this morning, the departure lounge is now open and passengers are being processed through security, though waiting times may be longer than usual in the circumstances. Flights were not suspended and both departures and arrivals are operating. Some flights may be subject to delays and passengers are advised to check with their airlines. We thank all the passengers for their patience as we ensured the terminal was safe for them to re-enter”, London Stansted said in a statement on social media at 6:30 am.

ℹ️ Information update for passengers | 9:45am pic.twitter.com/KLb8aiao4y

— London Stansted Airport (@STN_Airport) September 24, 2025

Security disruptions and rail chaos

Some of Stansted’s main airlines were forced to take unpopular measures during the event. In a statement, Ryanair said that passengers who missed their flight due to the security closure were being re-accommodated on the next available flight free of charge. They added that while security had reopened, security staff shortages prevented all lanes from being in operation, thus causing delays.

Jet2, Stansted’s second-largest operator, saw flights to Heraklion, Santorini, and Lesbos take off with no one aboard. According to the airline, it was the only possible alternative given the situation.

✅CLEARED: Disruption caused by a fault with the signalling system at #StanstedAirport has now ended

— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) September 24, 2025

Aside from the fire in the Escape Lounge, a second incident was responsible for travel chaos at the airport. According to the UK’s rail operator National Rail, a fault with the signalling system has caused cancellations and delays to all CrossCountry services between Birmingham New Street and Stansted, and Greater Anglia services to and from the airport and London Liverpool Street on Wednesday morning. Those heading towards the airport were therefore advised to use the bus services instead. Later, National Rail confirmed that the disruption caused by a signalling fault at Stansted Airport has now been resolved.