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Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights
(about 2 hours later)
Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of drones being flown over the airfield. Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of two drones being flown over the airfield.
Passengers faced delays and diversions after two of the unmanned devices were spotted near a runway. Passengers, who faced delays and diversions after the devices were seen near a runway, were warned disruption could continue into Thursday.
Those due to take off said their planes were stuck on the Tarmac, while some due to land at Gatwick said their flights were redirected to airports hundreds of miles away. Those due to depart on Wednesday said planes were left stuck on the Tarmac, while inbound flights were diverted.
The airport warned the disruption could continue into Thursday. People going to Gatwick to travel or to meet relatives have been advised to check the status of their flight first.
A spokesman confirmed there were no flights in or out of the airport, and that it was working with Sussex Police to investigate the drone sightings. A spokesman said the airport would update passengers once there had been "suitable reassurance that is it appropriate to re-open the runway".
He apologised for any inconvenience but said safety was Gatwick's "foremost priority". He apologised for any inconvenience and said Sussex Police was working alongside Gatwick staff to investigate the drone sightings.
Those heading to the airport to travel or meet relatives have been advised to check the status of their flights first. According to the airport, the drones were first seen at 21:03 GMT on Wednesday, followed by "multiple reports" of sightings.
Social media users spoke of flights being diverted to other UK airports, including London Heathrow, Luton and Manchester. On social media, passengers spoke of flights being diverted to other UK airports, including London Heathrow, Luton and Manchester.
Rashna Havewalla said she and her fellow passengers were sat waiting inside their aircraft at Manchester.Rashna Havewalla said she and her fellow passengers were sat waiting inside their aircraft at Manchester.
While Richard Hargreaves' easyJet flight was redirected to Birmingham, with those on board waiting to fly back to Gatwick. Richard Hargreaves' easyJet flight was redirected to Birmingham, with those on board waiting to fly back to Gatwick.
British Airways (BA) told one customer who complained via Twitter, that Gatwick had "stopped all arrivals and departures due to a drone". Honor Ireland said her flight had ended up at Stansted, but her car was parked at Gatwick.
One traveller said on social media his BA flight was forced to divert to Stansted. Gatwick Airport said airlines were "working to provide affected passengers with hotel accommodation" or provide alternative travel options.
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? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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