Hundreds of passengers were delayed leaving Luton Airport after flash floods caused a power outage at passport control.
Huge queues built up when the airport’s computer systems crashed after a thunderstorm passing over the airport triggered the power surge.
More than 1,500 people had just landed back in the UK at the airport when the power outage occurred.
Pictures emerged on Twitter of frustrated passengers waiting to leave as officials scrambled to get the IT systems back up and running.
Ed Saunt tweeted: “No one allowed through passport control at Luton Airport as UK Border computer systems are down.”
He later added: “Queues getting bigger and more angry at Luton Airport where a Border Agency computer crash means no one is allowed in.”
A back-up system was eventually put in place to allow passengers who had landed through, but with knock on delays expected throughout the evening.
The airport wrote on Twitter: “Owing to the earlier power outage, back-up system in use at Passport Control. Checks are taking longer. We’ll get you through as soon as possible.”
It later added: "Systems up and operating now. Apologies for the delays, passport control will get you through as soon as they can."
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The border chaos comes as flash floods sparked severe rail delays and caused cars to be submerged under water in south London.
At Gatwick Airport, some departing and landing flights have been delayed due to the bad weather.