Flights are being suspended at Luton Airport after a defect in the runway caused by high temperatures was spotted.

The airport says it hopes to resume operations “as soon as possible” after the last flight took off at 3.07pm.

UPDATE: 

  • The runway reopened to both arriving and departing flights at 6.05pm and is now fully operational.

A statement on the suspensions reads: “Following today’s high temperatures, a surface defect was identified on the runway.

“Engineers were called immediately to site and repair works are currently in progress to resume operations as soon as possible.

“We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

The disruptions at the airport are just one of many travel-related issues today that stem from the heat.

Parts of the Overground, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City lines are suspended, with severe delays affecting much of TfL services.

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London Northwestern Railway has cancelled all services on the Abbey Line and greatly reduced other services from Watford Junction.

LNR and TFL advise travelling only when essential during the heatwave (July 18 - July 19).

For the latest updates on the weather, follow our live blog here