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Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings cause delays Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings cause delays
(35 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of passengers at one of the UK's busiest airports are experiencing flight disruption after drones were seen over the airfield.Tens of thousands of passengers at one of the UK's busiest airports are experiencing flight disruption after drones were seen over the airfield.
Gatwick's runway remains closed after two of the devices were seen nearby.Gatwick's runway remains closed after two of the devices were seen nearby.
Flights are unable to take off or land and Gatwick said 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to use the airport on Thursday.Flights are unable to take off or land and Gatwick said 110,000 passengers on 760 flights were due to use the airport on Thursday.
Police were still hunting for the drone operator after another device was reported just before 07:00 GMT.Police were still hunting for the drone operator after another device was reported just before 07:00 GMT.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "There is absolutely nothing to suggest that this is terrorism-related."A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "There is absolutely nothing to suggest that this is terrorism-related."
Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said police had not wanted to shoot the devices down because of the risk from stray bullets.Gatwick chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said police had not wanted to shoot the devices down because of the risk from stray bullets.
Gatwick Airport: Live updatesGatwick Airport: Live updates
Those due to travel have been told to check the status of their flight, while Easyjet told its passengers not to go to Gatwick if their flights have been cancelled.Those due to travel have been told to check the status of their flight, while Easyjet told its passengers not to go to Gatwick if their flights have been cancelled.
European air traffic management group Eurocontrol said the runway would remain closed until 11:00 .European air traffic management group Eurocontrol said the runway would remain closed until 11:00 .
The shutdown started just after 21:00 on Wednesday when two drones were spotted being flown over the airfield.The shutdown started just after 21:00 on Wednesday when two drones were spotted being flown over the airfield.
The runway was briefly reopened at about 03:01, the airport said, but forced to close again about 45 minutes later amid "a further sighting of drones".The runway was briefly reopened at about 03:01, the airport said, but forced to close again about 45 minutes later amid "a further sighting of drones".
About 10,000 passengers were affected overnight on Wednesday, with some flights landing in Paris and Amsterdam.About 10,000 passengers were affected overnight on Wednesday, with some flights landing in Paris and Amsterdam.
Mr Woodroofe told the BBC two drones had been seen flying "over the perimeter fence and into where the runway operates from", sparking "very significant disruption".Mr Woodroofe told the BBC two drones had been seen flying "over the perimeter fence and into where the runway operates from", sparking "very significant disruption".
He added: "The police are looking for the operator and that is the way to disable the drone."He added: "The police are looking for the operator and that is the way to disable the drone."
It is illegal to fly a drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary.It is illegal to fly a drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary.
Planes were diverted to other airports including London Heathrow, Luton and Manchester.Planes were diverted to other airports including London Heathrow, Luton and Manchester.
Aviation website airlive.net said some services were re-routed as far away as Cardiff, Paris and Amsterdam.Aviation website airlive.net said some services were re-routed as far away as Cardiff, Paris and Amsterdam.
Crowds of passengers waited inside Gatwick's terminal for updates, while others reported being stuck on waiting planes for several hours.Crowds of passengers waited inside Gatwick's terminal for updates, while others reported being stuck on waiting planes for several hours.
An airport spokesman said "Extra staff have been drafted in and food and water is being provided where possible."
Kasia Jaworska told the BBC she had been travelling from Glasgow to Gatwick with her boyfriend when her flight was diverted to Luton.Kasia Jaworska told the BBC she had been travelling from Glasgow to Gatwick with her boyfriend when her flight was diverted to Luton.
After spending about two hours on the plane, she said the couple were put on a bus to Gatwick, from where they had been due to fly to Istanbul.After spending about two hours on the plane, she said the couple were put on a bus to Gatwick, from where they had been due to fly to Istanbul.
Ms Jaworska said she thought it was "strange" that two drones had led to the closure of the airport.Ms Jaworska said she thought it was "strange" that two drones had led to the closure of the airport.
"You would imagine there would be better security in place and emergency action for something like that," she added."You would imagine there would be better security in place and emergency action for something like that," she added.
Christopher Lister, who had been returning from Kiev, posted a picture of people sleeping "on every seat and across the floors" on board his flight.Christopher Lister, who had been returning from Kiev, posted a picture of people sleeping "on every seat and across the floors" on board his flight.
He said the photo was taken six hours after the plane - which was due to arrive at Gatwick - landed in Birmingham.He said the photo was taken six hours after the plane - which was due to arrive at Gatwick - landed in Birmingham.
Andri Kyprianou, from Cyprus, who had been visiting London, said: "There were pregnant women, one of them was sleeping on the floor.Andri Kyprianou, from Cyprus, who had been visiting London, said: "There were pregnant women, one of them was sleeping on the floor.
There were people with small babies in here overnight, we saw disabled people on chairs. There were young children sleeping on the floor."There were people with small babies in here overnight, we saw disabled people on chairs. There were young children sleeping on the floor."
An airport said apologised for any inconvenience and said airlines were "working to provide affected passengers with hotel accommodation" or provide alternative travel options.An airport said apologised for any inconvenience and said airlines were "working to provide affected passengers with hotel accommodation" or provide alternative travel options.
Drones and airportsDrones and airports
The law says:The law says:
Source: dronesafe.ukSource: dronesafe.uk
Virgin Atlantic said all its incoming lights were being diverted and there would be delays to outgoing flights.Virgin Atlantic said all its incoming lights were being diverted and there would be delays to outgoing flights.
Tui said all its flights were being disrupted, saying it would be contacting all customers directly with further updates and posting information on its website.
According to its website, Gatwick Airport expects to welcome a "record-breaking" number of passengers over this year's Christmas period.According to its website, Gatwick Airport expects to welcome a "record-breaking" number of passengers over this year's Christmas period.
It predicts 2.9m people will pass through its gates during the festive getaway, with 73,000 of those due to depart this Sunday.It predicts 2.9m people will pass through its gates during the festive getaway, with 73,000 of those due to depart this Sunday.
Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? Do you have questions about your consumer rights? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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