Gatwick Airport has reopened for a “limited number” of flights after a drone caused chaos for tens of thousands of passengers.
However, the reopening comes despite no confirmation from police that a drone has been brought down or that there have been any arrests, meaning the threat of closure remains.
Gatwick’s runway is currently available and a limited number of aircraft are scheduled for departure and arrival. 1/2
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) December 21, 2018
Flights in and out of the airport were suspended on Wednesday night, with the shut down continuing throughout Thursday despite a brief reopening in the early hours.
At just before 6.30am on Friday, Gatwick said the runway was “currently available”.
The incident led to calls for more action to tackle illegal drone use.
The runway was closed almost constantly after two drones #GatwickDrones were spotted being flown inside Gatwick’s perimeter.
It was reopened at 3am on Thursday but shut again 45 minutes later after the drones re-emerged.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there was no known motive for the pilot of the “commercial” drone.
Passengers faced severe disruption as flights were unable to leave the tarmac at Gatwick, while many inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports as far away as Amsterdam and Paris.
More articles on Gatwick here >>>>
Chief constable for Surrey says they can’t shoot the drone down as its size makes it too difficult etc……..? Do we not have plans for drones? Are we saying in warfare we are not prepared for drone attacks? #GatwickDrones great advert for British defence.
— Jax (@angelsflyintwos) December 21, 2018
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