London’s Gatwick airport shut down over drone sighting
The flights have been suspended after two drones were sighted near the runway at around 21.03, the airport said in a statement. The initial report was followed by “multiple reports of sightings” through the night, prompting a joint investigation by the Gatwick officials and Sussex Police.
A police helicopter was dispatched to track down the vehicle and its operator, so far without success.
For some reason no flights into @Gatwick_Airport at the moment with flights diverting to other UK airports. pic.twitter.com/8wIlmir3bA
— Plane Finder (@planefinder) December 19, 2018
The second-busiest airport in the UK has had to divert flights to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow.
#GatwickAirport BREAKING: All inbound flights to #London#Gatwick are currently holding and there are no departures. There are reports of a drone in the vicinity of the runway. Some aircraft in the hold pattern are opting to divert to alternative airports. @FlightAlerts_pic.twitter.com/DL1jgoEEAM
— London 999 Feed (@999London) December 19, 2018
The airport has advised anyone traveling on Wednesday or Thursday to check their flight status first, implying that the closure would last beyond Wednesday evening.
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) December 19, 2018
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