UK: Gatwick Airport closes runway again December 21 /update 7

Event

Airport officials at London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) closed the runway at approximately 17:30 (local time) on Friday, December 21, following the suspected sighting of a drone near the airfield. It is unclear when operations will resume and significant flight disruptions are expected to continue in the coming hours and days. Airport authorities have advised individuals planning on flying via LGW on Friday, December 21, to confirm their flight reservation before leaving for the airport.

Context

Flight operations partially resumed at LGW on December 21 after the runway was closed on the evening of Wednesday, December 19, due to the sightings of two drones over the airfield. Multiple incoming flights have been diverted to other regional airports since Wednesday evening, including Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, and Southend. More than 800 flights had been canceled, affecting some 120,000 passengers, as of the evening of December 20.

Advice

Individuals flying via LGW are advised to confirm the status of their flight, refrain from traveling to the airport unless their flight is confirmed, and anticipate continuing flight disruptions (e.g. delays and cancelations). Refer to LGW's website for the latest information on the situation and consequent flight disruptions.