UK: Flight operations resume at Gatwick Airport (LGW) December 21 /update 8

Event

Flight operations have resumed at London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) as of 18:31 (local time) of Friday, December 21, after a one-hour suspension of operations due the suspected sighting of a drone near the airfield. Lingering flight disruptions (e.g. delays and cancelations) are to be expected over the coming hours and days. Airport authorities have advised individuals planning on flying via LGW on Friday to confirm their flight reservation before leaving for the airport.

Context

Flight operations partially resumed and were again briefly suspended 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.