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Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights | Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights |
(35 minutes 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. |
The runway was closed after the devices were seen nearby on Wednesday evening. Flights were grounded and inbound planes diverted elsewhere. | |
Passengers have been warned disruption could continue on Thursday. | Passengers have been warned disruption could continue on Thursday. |
Those heading to Gatwick to travel or collect relatives were advised to check the status of their flight with their airline. | |
The runway was re-opened at about 03:01 GMT, the airport said, but forced to close again about 45 minutes later amid "a further sighting of drones in the vicinity". | |
A spokesman apologised for any inconvenience and said Sussex Police was working alongside Gatwick staff to investigate. | |
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. | 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 it was "strange" that two drones had led to the closure of the airport. | 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. | "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 | Drones and airports |
The law says: | The law says: |
Source: dronesafe.uk | 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 |