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Gatwick airport suspends flights after reports of drones Gatwick drones: airport suspends flights after reports of devices
(about 4 hours later)
Gatwick airport has advised travellers to check the status of their flights on Thursday after reports of drones being flown over the airfield forced it to suspend flights. The runway at Gatwick airport remained closed on Thursday morning after reports of drones flying close to the airport – despite briefly reopening overnight.
Two drones were reportedly spotted hovering near a runway on Wednesday evening at what is the UK’s second-busiest airport, prompting air traffic controllers to stop all flights while authorities investigated. Gatwick apologised for the suspension but said the safety of passengers was a priority. Flights in and out of Gatwick were suspended at about 9pm on Wednesday after two drones were sighted near the airfield.
At 3am on Thursday Gatwick said it had reopened. “Our focus is now on working, with the airport community, to catch up on the flight schedule,” a spokeswoman said. Gatwick announced that the runway had reopened at about 3am on Thursday – but 45 minutes later it was closed again. It said: “Following reports of two drones flying over the Gatwick airport airfield at around 9pm, the airfield was closed from 21:03 on Wednesday 19 December to 03:01 on Thursday 20 December.
More than 20 flights were diverted to airports across the UK and Europe, including Manchester, Liverpool, Paris, Birmingham and Amsterdam, according to flightradar24, causing major disruption during one of the busiest periods of the year. “Unfortunately a further sighting of drones in the vicinity of the airport has forced the runway to be closed again from 03:45 as we investigate the sighting alongside Sussex police.
Airspace above the west Sussex airport in the early hours of Thursday was empty as authorities searched for the drones. “We will update when we have suitable reassurance that it is appropriate to reopen the runway.”
There were also multiple reports on social media of passengers being held for more than two hours in their plane while they waited for Gatwick airport to reopen the runway. Passengers faced delays to their journeys on Wednesday night as some flights were unable to leave the tarmac while others were diverted to alternative airports.
Flights were diverted to other airports, including Luton, Heathrow, Stansted and Manhester. They were also sent as far as Amsterdam and Paris. Some people reported being left stuck on aircraft for several hours while they waited to find out what was going on. Gatwick advised anyone flying from the airport, or collecting someone, to check the status of their flight. A spokeswoman added that airlines were working to provide affected passengers with hotel accommodation or transport for those whose flights were diverted.
Airspace above the West Sussex airport in the early hours of Thursday was empty as authorities searched for the drones. There were also multiple reports on social media of passengers being held for hours in their plane while they waited for Gatwick airport to reopen the runway.
Flights were diverted to other airports, including Luton, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester. They were also sent as far as Amsterdam and Paris.
Been stuck on the tarmac for over an hour after landing at Luton instead of @Gatwick_Airport - crew have said all airports in the South are full to capacity. No idea how we're going to get home - no info on onward travel! pic.twitter.com/PYqfkw2fhNBeen stuck on the tarmac for over an hour after landing at Luton instead of @Gatwick_Airport - crew have said all airports in the South are full to capacity. No idea how we're going to get home - no info on onward travel! pic.twitter.com/PYqfkw2fhN
pic.twitter.com/RrdWpNk1kYpic.twitter.com/RrdWpNk1kY
Responding to a passenger who complained their plane had been diverted to Stansted, and then Heathrow, British Airways tweeted: “Gatwick have stopped all arrivals and departures due to a drone, we’ve been told. Something that’s not within our control. We hope the crew keeps you updated.” British Airways, in response to a passenger who complained their plane had been diverted to Stansted, and then Heathrow, tweeted: “Gatwick have stopped all arrivals and departures due to a drone, we’ve been told. Something that’s not within our control. We hope the crew keeps you updated.”
One traveller said on social media that his plane had been diverted to Stansted while they waited for the airport to reopen. He added that passengers had been given the choice between a bus from Stansted to Gatwick, or flying back to Gatwick when the airport reopened.One traveller said on social media that his plane had been diverted to Stansted while they waited for the airport to reopen. He added that passengers had been given the choice between a bus from Stansted to Gatwick, or flying back to Gatwick when the airport reopened.
Chaos at Gatwick as ‘drone spotted near the airport’ SHUTS the runway https://t.co/KBeDAbjzjj pic.twitter.com/vsQa1vQyk5Chaos at Gatwick as ‘drone spotted near the airport’ SHUTS the runway https://t.co/KBeDAbjzjj pic.twitter.com/vsQa1vQyk5
UPDATE Gatwick inbound flights diverted as far as Paris and Amsterdam https://t.co/mA8kWbsU0DUPDATE Gatwick inbound flights diverted as far as Paris and Amsterdam https://t.co/mA8kWbsU0D
In a statement, Gatwick said: “Following reports of two drones flying over the Gatwick airport airfield, we have had to suspend flights while this is investigated.
“We advise everyone flying from Gatwick, or collecting someone from the airport, Wednesday 19 December or Thursday 20 December, to check the status of their flight.
It appears that the ⁦⁦@NPAShq⁩ helicopter has returned to #GatwickAirport amidst continued unconfirmed reports that several #drones are still flying in and around the confines of the airport. #drones #gatwick #police pic.twitter.com/fQr1EUsIX2It appears that the ⁦⁦@NPAShq⁩ helicopter has returned to #GatwickAirport amidst continued unconfirmed reports that several #drones are still flying in and around the confines of the airport. #drones #gatwick #police pic.twitter.com/fQr1EUsIX2
“We apologise to any affected passengers for this inconvenience but the safety of our passengers and staff is our foremost priority.”
Gatwick airportGatwick airport
CrimeCrime
Air transportAir transport
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Drones (non-military)Drones (non-military)
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