People stuck in planes on Gatwick tarmac as storms and rain cause travel chaos

Passengers have been stuck on the tarmac for hours as torrential rain brings Gatwick Airport to a standstill.

After a difficult but sunny summer in the aviation sector, the watery end of the lengthy heatwave has caused more issues for the industry.

Dozens of easyJet, Wizz Air and British Airways flights have been delayed, with several cancelled.

Many of the services due to depart the London travel hub have been pushed back from the early afternoon to late into the evening, causing big disruption for those jetting off on holiday or heading back home.

Heavy rains have hit Gatwick Airport (stock photo) (Alamy Stock Photo)

Some passengers complained of being stuck on the tarmac of stationary planes with no news on when they'd be lifting off.

"No information being passed to passengers currently sat on the runway for three hours now…can you advise on delays?" one unhappy customer tweeted at the airport.

"Some communication needed here - hungry children and angry passengers being kept indefinitely on the plane."

Another wrote: "We've been sat on the plane for two hours, flight VY6014. Our flight was due to leave at 1.10pm.

"They have told us we'll have to await info at the parking dock. Will we be taking off!???"

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Gatwick confirmed that torrential rain and thunderstorms that have hit the south of England are behind the delays.

"We have now been stuck on the runway for over two hours and no info is being given," another irate would-be holidaymaker said.

Another said: "Mine's been delayed two hours. We are on the tarmac and moved to another stand.

"Weather southbound is awful and it doesn’t even look like it’s improving."

With the ground baked hard after a long period of scorching sunshine and no rain, flood warnings have been issued across the country as the heavens finally open.

London's Victoria Station partially flooded this afternoon when heavy rains drenched the city.

Video shared on social media of shows ankle-deep water flooding into the station as staff try to shut the gates.

The Met Office issued alerts across the city on Wednesday until 10pm, stating that homes and businesses are "likely" to be flooded.