21 Dec 2018 | 08:43 AM UTC
UK: Runway reopens at Gatwick International Airport Dec. 21 /update 6
Flight operations to partially resume at Gatwick International Airport (LGW) on December 21; residual disruptions expected to persist
Event
Flight operations at Gatwick International Airport (LGW) are expected to partially resume from Friday morning, December 21 (local time). Airport authorities announced that the runway had been reopened to a limited number of arriving and departing flights.
Airport authorities have advised individuals planning on flying via LGW on Friday, December 21, to confirm their flight reservation before leaving for the airport. A significant number of flight delays and cancelations are to be expected over the coming hours and days as airlines work to clear backlogs during this busy holiday travel period.
Context
The runway at LGW was closed at approximately 21:00 on Wednesday, December 19, after two drones were spotted over the airfield. Multiple incoming flights have been diverted to other regional airports since Wednesday evening, including Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, and Southend.
As of the evening (local time) of December 20, more than 800 planes had been canceled, affecting around 100,000 passengers.
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.
