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Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings halt flights Gatwick Airport: Drone sightings trigger disruption
(about 1 hour later)
Flights at Gatwick Airport have been suspended amid reports of two drones being flown over the airfield. Passengers at one of the UK's busiest airports have been warned to expect further flight disruption after drones were seen over the airfield.
The runway was closed after the devices were seen nearby on Wednesday evening. Flights were grounded and inbound planes diverted elsewhere. Gatwick's runway remains closed after two of the devices were seen nearby, sparking a string of delays and diversions on Wednesday evening.
Passengers have been warned disruption could continue on Thursday. Outbound flights were grounded and incoming planes redirected - with some landing in Paris and Amsterdam.
Those heading to Gatwick to travel or collect relatives were advised to check the status of their flight with their airline. Passengers due to travel have been told to check the status of their flight.
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". The shutdown started just after 21:00 BST, when two drones were spotted being flown over the airfield.
A spokesman apologised for any inconvenience and said Sussex Police was working alongside Gatwick staff to investigate. "Multiple reports" of further sightings followed, a Gatwick spokesman said, and all flights to and from the airport were suspended.
According to the airport, the drones were first seen at 21:03 GMT on Wednesday, followed by "multiple reports" of sightings. The runway was briefly 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".
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.
Crowds of passengers waited inside Gatwick's terminal for updates, while others reported being stuck on waiting planes for several hours.
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 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 said. "You would imagine there would be better security in place and emergency action for something like that," she added.
On social media, passengers spoke of flights being diverted to other UK airports, including London Heathrow, Luton and Manchester. 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.
Rashna Havewalla said she and her fellow passengers were sat waiting inside their aircraft at Manchester. He said the photo was taken six hours after the plane was due to arrive at Gatwick.
Luke McComiskie, whose flight ended up in Manchester, described chaotic scenes as people tried to find their way home after more than three hours stuck onboard.
The 20-year-old, from Aldershot, told the Press Association: "We got told there would be some arrangements with coaches for us when we get out the terminal.
"It was just chaos and they had only two coaches and taxis charging people £600 to get to Gatwick."
Drones and airportsDrones and airports
The law says:The law says:
Source: dronesafe.ukSource: dronesafe.uk
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.
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.
A spokesman apologised for any inconvenience and said staff were working alongside Sussex Police to investigate the drone sightings.
According to its website, the airport expects to welcome a "record-breaking" number of passengers over this year's Christmas period.
It predicts 2.9 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? Let us know by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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