The UK’s transport network, meanwhile, faces three days of walkouts affecting trains, tubes and buses, sparking warnings of widespread travel disruption.

Elsewhere, the return of supersonic travel makes headlines after American Airlines put in an order for 60 Overture aircrafts, while Venice’s mayor is on the hunt for tourists who surfed down the city’s canals.

Here are the travel headlines making national news on Thursday (18 August).

Storms and flash floods hit southern England

Thunderstorms and flash floods have hit parts of southern England, amid warnings that the unsettled weather is expected to continue into the weekend. There were torrential downpours in London, with the rain spreading across the south-east until about 10pm. An amber warning for the area has been issued by the Met Office, with a risk of transport disruption and power cuts. The Met Office said the unsettled weather will continue through the weekend with sporadic showers for most of the UK and at times more consistent rain building in from the west and north-west. Gatwick airport warned the weather conditions could cause flight delays, tweeting: “Air traffic control restrictions are currently in place across the south of England and parts of Europe due to poor weather conditions. “This will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations to some flights today.” (The Guardian)

Train strikes: Passengers face disruption as rail services hit

Half of Britain’s lines will close on Thursday and Saturday as more than 45,000 rail workers walk out in a dispute over pay and terms. Some routes will have no services, and where they are operating, trains will only run between 7.30am and 6.30pm on both strike days. Passengers are being told only to travel by train if necessary. It is the latest in a series of summer strikes and will alter the travel plans for workers, festival goers and those heading to the cricket Test match at Lord’s in London. (BBC News)

Rail strike today: Mick Lynch backs workers as four days of rail, Tube and bus walkouts begin

RMT union boss Mick Lynch said he would not "tolerate being bullied or hoodwinked into accepting a raw deal for our members" as the latest round of walkouts began. Rail passengers are set to experience more travel strike chaos today, as tens of thousands of workers walk out in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The fresh round of strikes beginning Thursday (18 August) will be staged by workers from Network Rail and 14 train companies. On Friday, London Underground and bus workers in the capital will also walk out. The latest round of industrial action is expected to cause transport misery for commuters, holidaymakers and fans going to events, such as a cricket Test match at Lord’s. (ITV News)

Heaviest rain for months brings mass sewage dumps and travel chaos

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday led to mass sewage dumps into the sea around the south coast of England, leading to warnings against bathing because of bacteria levels. The Environment Agency warned people not to swim at 17 bathing water sites in the south-west of England, while the charity Surfers Against Sewage highlighted sewage spills or pollution at 37 sites in total across the south coast. Flash flooding hit the Midlands and south on Tuesday and Wednesday, with homes and businesses flooded in towns such as Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, and Worksop, Nottinghamshire. (The Telegraph)

Supersonic travel is back

Supersonic passenger travel, thought to be permanently grounded since the British Airways Concorde service retired to its hangar nearly 20 years ago, is suddenly taking flight again. American Airlines has put in an order for 60 Overture aircraft capable of flying at 1.7 times the speed of sound. An ultra-fast successor to Concorde that seats 65 to 88 passengers, it’s the work of Boom, a Denver, Colorado-based start-up whose project (rumoured to be powered by Rolls-Royce engines) heralds the possible return of three-hour transatlantic flights between London and New York. Overture production starts in 2024 and begins testing in 2026 with another company, United Airlines, tentatively scheduling its first commercial flights for 2029. (The Times)

Inflation UK: Now brace for interest rate hike

Economists warn interest rates could now reach 4% by January as UK inflation rate hits 10.1% – the highest level since 1982. Millions face increased mortgage payments as the crisis deepens. Former chancellor Philip Hammond tells the I the government is “not functional” and must get tough on wages to tackle rising inflation. (The i)

Fury as ‘idiot’ tourists surf on Venice canal

Venice’s mayor has called for help identifying two "overbearing idiots" who surfed on the city’s canals. The mayor said anyone who helped would receive a "free dinner". Luigi Brugnaro, Venice’s mayor, shared a video of two tourists surfing on one of Venice’s canals. The mayor said he wanted to “punish” the rulebreakers. Brugnaro tweeted: “Here are two overbearing idiots who make a mockery of the city. “I ask everyone to help us identify them to punish them even if our weapons are really blunt. We urgently need more powers to the Mayors in terms of public safety! To those who spot them, I offer a dinner!” Brugnaro has expressed his anger at rule-breaking tourists before, reacting with rage to graffiti on one of the city’s protected churches. (Daily Express)