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Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights | Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of two drones being flown over the airfield. | Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of two drones being flown over the airfield. |
Passengers, who faced delays and diversions after the devices were seen near a runway, were warned disruption could continue into Thursday. | Passengers, who faced delays and diversions after the devices were seen near a runway, were warned disruption could continue into Thursday. |
Those due to depart on Wednesday said planes were left stuck on the Tarmac, while inbound flights were diverted. | Those due to depart on Wednesday said planes were left stuck on the Tarmac, while inbound flights were diverted. |
People going to Gatwick to travel or to meet relatives have been advised to check the status of their flight first. | People going to Gatwick to travel or to meet relatives have been advised to check the status of their flight first. |
A spokesman said the airport would update passengers once there had been "suitable reassurance that is it appropriate to re-open the runway". | 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 and said Sussex Police was working alongside Gatwick staff to investigate the drone sightings. | He apologised for any inconvenience and said Sussex Police was working alongside Gatwick staff to investigate the drone sightings. |
According to the airport, the drones were first seen at 21:03 GMT on Wednesday, followed by "multiple reports" of sightings. | According to the airport, the drones were first seen at 21:03 GMT on Wednesday, followed by "multiple reports" of sightings. |
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. | |
Ms Jaworska said 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 said. | |
On social media, passengers 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. |
Drones and airports | |
The law says: | |
Source: dronesafe.uk | |
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. |
Honor Ireland said her flight had ended up at Stansted, but her car was parked at Gatwick. | Honor Ireland said her flight had ended up at Stansted, but her car was parked at Gatwick. |
Gatwick Airport said airlines were "working to provide affected passengers with hotel accommodation" or provide alternative travel options. | 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. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |