Gatwick suspends flights in and out after drones spotted

Gatwick has suspended all flights in and out of the airport after a third drone was spotted flying over the airfield.

Two drones were spotted flying over the airfield at about 9.03pm on Wednesday, with officials saying there had been further sightings of the pair since the initial one. All flights in and out were halted.

The airport was able to reopen the runway at 3.01am but another sighting of a third drone at 3.45am forced a second closure of the runway.

Sussex Police are investigating and Gatwick promised to reopen the runway following “suitable reassurance”.

A police helicopter has been circulating the airport looking for the drones.

A message on the Gatwick Airport website says: “Flights to and from Gatwick are currently suspended while we investigate reports of drones flying close to our airfield.

“We apologise to any affected passengers for this inconvenience but the safety of our passengers and all staff is our foremost priority.”

Confusion reigned as just after 3am the airport released a statement which said: “Gatwick’s runway is now open after flights were earlier suspended following reports of two drone flying over the airfield.

“Flights were suspended between 9.03pm on 19 December and 3.01am on 20 December. Our focus is now working, with the airport community, to catch up the flight schedule.

“We advise everyone flying from Gatwick, or collecting someone from the airport, Thursday 20 December, to check the status of their flight.”

Gatwick added that airlines had been working to provide delayed and diverted passenger with hotel accommodation or transport.

Hundreds of travellers were diverted or delayed, with dozens tweeting their frustration at being left on the tarmac.

One passenger confirmed she was finally being let off the plane about six and a half hours after landing.

While some were diverted to other London airports, others have reported being sent as far away as Paris, Bordeaux and Amsterdam.

According to Flight Radar, more than two dozen flights bound for Gatwick had been diverted by 11pm.

One tweeter said: “Dear @British_Airways thanks for diverting our plan to Stansted and now Heathrow (even though we were meant to land at Gatwick) and now you’re not even letting us off the plane.”

The airline responded: “Sorry about that, Elly. 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.”

Oana Damien said her flight has been diverted to Heathrow from Gatwick, but no one on her plane was able to disembark as there were no customs and ground handling operations in place.

Joe Bond’s flight from Belfast was diverted to Birmingham. He joked on Twitter: “From the sound of the stewards we might be staying here forever.”

He later added: “Update. Got a free can of Coke and Pringles. Which has made the delay better.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Gatwick suspends flights in and out after drones spotted