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Gatwick airport disruption: military to be deployed as drone chaos continues – live Gatwick airport: easyJet cancels all flights today as unclear when runways will reopen – live
(35 minutes later)
EasyJet has cancelled all of its flights from and to Gatwick today and is obviously not optimistic about the situation being resolved anytime soon:
At this stage there is no indication of when the airport might re-open and as a result we have cancelled all flights due to operate to or from London Gatwick today.
We expect disruption to continue into tomorrow and so advise all customers flying to and from London Gatwick tomorrow to check the status of their flight on our Flight Tracker https://t.co/wJaEeGPHSw or via the app.
Jaz Banga, founder of US company Airspace told Sky News it could take up to two days to find the drones.
His company works with the US army to detect drones and says all airports should have perimeter systems in place the whole time to detect drones. But he said it takes time to find even active drones:
It takes about two days to get a system set up. These systems have to target very small signals. Some of these drones can fly 5km or 6km from an operator.
You have to detect the drone when it comes in, identify it, if it’s a police drone or something [else], and then capture it.
Once we find the drone, we deploy an automated system to capture the drone and put it in a bomb box.
What we know so far:What we know so far:
The military is to be deployed to Gatwick in an attempt to help reopen the airport, which has been closed for more than 14 hours as a result of drones flying overhead. The defence secretary, Gavin Williams, declined to say what their involvement would be.The military is to be deployed to Gatwick in an attempt to help reopen the airport, which has been closed for more than 14 hours as a result of drones flying overhead. The defence secretary, Gavin Williams, declined to say what their involvement would be.
The airport’s chief operating officer, Chris Woodroofe, said it was impossible to tell when flights would resume.The airport’s chief operating officer, Chris Woodroofe, said it was impossible to tell when flights would resume.
The latest update from the European aviation agency Eurocontrol said the airport would not reopen until 10pm at the earliest. It has repeatedly put back the earliest time at which flights will resume.The latest update from the European aviation agency Eurocontrol said the airport would not reopen until 10pm at the earliest. It has repeatedly put back the earliest time at which flights will resume.
Police sharpshooters have been spotted at the airport. Earlier Chris Woodroofe, Gatwick’s chief operating officer, said the risk posed by a stray bullet meant the drones could not be shot down.Police sharpshooters have been spotted at the airport. Earlier Chris Woodroofe, Gatwick’s chief operating officer, said the risk posed by a stray bullet meant the drones could not be shot down.
At least 800 flights have been cancelled. Woodroofe said: “There are 110,000 passengers due to fly today, and the vast majority of those will see cancellations and disruption.”At least 800 flights have been cancelled. Woodroofe said: “There are 110,000 passengers due to fly today, and the vast majority of those will see cancellations and disruption.”
There was more bad news for passengers as the Civil Aviation Authority said airlines were not obliged to pay financial compensation to those hit by the disruption at Gatwick because it is an “extraordinary circumstance”.
Theresa May said the government was doing what it could as she expressed sympathy for stranded passengers. The prime minister also defended the legislative steps already taken to prevent the misuse of drones amid some criticism that the are not tough enough.Theresa May said the government was doing what it could as she expressed sympathy for stranded passengers. The prime minister also defended the legislative steps already taken to prevent the misuse of drones amid some criticism that the are not tough enough.
Police are appealing for the public’s help in catching the operator of the drone. About 20 police units are searching the perimeter of the airfield.Police are appealing for the public’s help in catching the operator of the drone. About 20 police units are searching the perimeter of the airfield.
Police said they do not believe the incident is terror related, but they do believe it is a deliberate act to disrupt the airport.Police said they do not believe the incident is terror related, but they do believe it is a deliberate act to disrupt the airport.
Labour says the government has been too slow to address safety concerns about drones. Pilots have called for tougher laws against drones.Labour says the government has been too slow to address safety concerns about drones. Pilots have called for tougher laws against drones.
Within a matter of minutes, Eurocontrol has extended the earliest possible time for reopening by another hour. It is the third update in an hour.Within a matter of minutes, Eurocontrol has extended the earliest possible time for reopening by another hour. It is the third update in an hour.
Eurocontrol’s latest update has extended the earliest time at which the airport will open by another hour.Eurocontrol’s latest update has extended the earliest time at which the airport will open by another hour.
The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said:The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said:
This is clearly a very serious ongoing incident in which substantial drones have been used to bring about the temporary closure of a major international airport. The people who were involved should face the maximum possible custodial sentence for the damage they have done. The government is doing everything it can to support Sussex police.This is clearly a very serious ongoing incident in which substantial drones have been used to bring about the temporary closure of a major international airport. The people who were involved should face the maximum possible custodial sentence for the damage they have done. The government is doing everything it can to support Sussex police.
Downing Street has announced that a “cross-Whitehall meeting of officials” has been taking place from 3pm about the Gatwick situation. It has been held in the Cabinet Office briefings rooms, though it is not formally a meeting of Cobra, the civil contingencies committee which takes its acronym from these rooms.Downing Street has announced that a “cross-Whitehall meeting of officials” has been taking place from 3pm about the Gatwick situation. It has been held in the Cabinet Office briefings rooms, though it is not formally a meeting of Cobra, the civil contingencies committee which takes its acronym from these rooms.
May’s spokesman said:May’s spokesman said:
The point of those meetings is to bring together all of the officials from all the relevant departments in one place so you have an accurate picture of events and make sure that all available resources are being deployed. This is a serious incident, it’s causing widespread disruption for passengers. The intention, obviously, is that it should brought to a close as soon as possible.The point of those meetings is to bring together all of the officials from all the relevant departments in one place so you have an accurate picture of events and make sure that all available resources are being deployed. This is a serious incident, it’s causing widespread disruption for passengers. The intention, obviously, is that it should brought to a close as soon as possible.
Officials involved came from the Department for Transport, police and the Home Office civil contingencies secretariat, among others, he said. May was being “regularly updated” on the situation.Officials involved came from the Department for Transport, police and the Home Office civil contingencies secretariat, among others, he said. May was being “regularly updated” on the situation.
On legislative responses to the situation, the spokesman said that a consultation into what further steps could be taken to curb drone misuse had recently closed, with a response due “very early in the new year”. New laws could then follow.On legislative responses to the situation, the spokesman said that a consultation into what further steps could be taken to curb drone misuse had recently closed, with a response due “very early in the new year”. New laws could then follow.
May’s spokesman said he had nothing to say on the use of the military.May’s spokesman said he had nothing to say on the use of the military.
The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, told Sky News:The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, told Sky News:
Sussex police have requested assistance and support from the armed forces and we will be deploying the armed forces to give them the help that they need to deal with the situation with the drones at Gatwick airport.Sussex police have requested assistance and support from the armed forces and we will be deploying the armed forces to give them the help that they need to deal with the situation with the drones at Gatwick airport.
It goes to demonstrate how our armed forces are always there ready to support the civilian authorities.”It goes to demonstrate how our armed forces are always there ready to support the civilian authorities.”
When asked what the armed forces’ role would be, Williamson said:When asked what the armed forces’ role would be, Williamson said:
That is not something we can reveal. We are there to assist and do everything we can.That is not something we can reveal. We are there to assist and do everything we can.
Eurocontrol now says Gatwick won’t open until 8pm at the earliest.Eurocontrol now says Gatwick won’t open until 8pm at the earliest.
By the early afternoon, Gatwick’s coffee shops were beginning to run out of food, yet remained full of dozens of weary travellers. Groups clustered around power points, some laughing and joking in solidarity, others staring into glowing portals of escapism.By the early afternoon, Gatwick’s coffee shops were beginning to run out of food, yet remained full of dozens of weary travellers. Groups clustered around power points, some laughing and joking in solidarity, others staring into glowing portals of escapism.
Messages on the airport’s PA system told them precisely nothing: the uncertainty continued. Zak Morgan, 20, a computer science student at UCL, had been waiting since 8.45pm on Wednesday for what should have been a 30-minute flight to Paris. He had made it onboard, only to sit there for hours before getting off.Messages on the airport’s PA system told them precisely nothing: the uncertainty continued. Zak Morgan, 20, a computer science student at UCL, had been waiting since 8.45pm on Wednesday for what should have been a 30-minute flight to Paris. He had made it onboard, only to sit there for hours before getting off.
The journey was rescheduled via Barcelona, due to depart at 3pm – which would have extended it to six hours. But before that could happen that flight was also cancelled. “Every hour they have been changing the flight times, so instead of saying go home, they’ve been telling us to stay,” Morgan said.The journey was rescheduled via Barcelona, due to depart at 3pm – which would have extended it to six hours. But before that could happen that flight was also cancelled. “Every hour they have been changing the flight times, so instead of saying go home, they’ve been telling us to stay,” Morgan said.
"Every hour they've been changing the flight times, so instead of telling us to go home they've been telling us to stay." Zak Morgan, 20, a computer science student at UCL, has been waiting at #Gatwick since 8.45pm for a 30-min flight to Paris pic.twitter.com/macjhpMMBQ"Every hour they've been changing the flight times, so instead of telling us to go home they've been telling us to stay." Zak Morgan, 20, a computer science student at UCL, has been waiting at #Gatwick since 8.45pm for a 30-min flight to Paris pic.twitter.com/macjhpMMBQ
Oz Demirkol, 26, was waiting for a flight home to Oslo for Christmas. She said:Oz Demirkol, 26, was waiting for a flight home to Oslo for Christmas. She said:
We arrived at 9.30am because our initial flight was at 11.35am. That got cancelled and now we have rebooked another flight and we’re waiting for that – but now the Eurocontrol are saying there are no flights until 7pm.We arrived at 9.30am because our initial flight was at 11.35am. That got cancelled and now we have rebooked another flight and we’re waiting for that – but now the Eurocontrol are saying there are no flights until 7pm.
Despite the long wait and overcrowding Demirkol, like many other passengers, did not feel angry.Despite the long wait and overcrowding Demirkol, like many other passengers, did not feel angry.
To be honest there is very little to feel angry about. It’s not in anyone’s control, we are just waiting for it to be solved. I don’t think that it’s time to be frustrated. I’m just waiting to see what happens. It’s a security issue, it’s nothing about their ability to plan or organise, or manage demand or supply; it’s about something that’s out of everyone’s control. So it’s good that people aren’t being rash about it, because people have been working really all day around the airport.To be honest there is very little to feel angry about. It’s not in anyone’s control, we are just waiting for it to be solved. I don’t think that it’s time to be frustrated. I’m just waiting to see what happens. It’s a security issue, it’s nothing about their ability to plan or organise, or manage demand or supply; it’s about something that’s out of everyone’s control. So it’s good that people aren’t being rash about it, because people have been working really all day around the airport.
The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, has just told reporters the armed forces will be deployed at Gatwick although he has declined to specify in what capacity.The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, has just told reporters the armed forces will be deployed at Gatwick although he has declined to specify in what capacity.
BREAKING: Gavin Williamson has just confirmed to me & other reporters: “We will be deploying the armed forces” at #Gatwick, who will use “unique military capability” to help in the drone crisis. Declines to give any further detail about what military will or can do.BREAKING: Gavin Williamson has just confirmed to me & other reporters: “We will be deploying the armed forces” at #Gatwick, who will use “unique military capability” to help in the drone crisis. Declines to give any further detail about what military will or can do.
With every cloud comes a silver lining ... although try telling that to those stranded at Gatwick.With every cloud comes a silver lining ... although try telling that to those stranded at Gatwick.
Sally Pavey of Cagne – Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions – told the Guardian’s transport correspondent, Gwyn Topham, that she had sympathy for stranded passengers and did “not condone people doing such irresponsible acts”. But she added:Sally Pavey of Cagne – Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions – told the Guardian’s transport correspondent, Gwyn Topham, that she had sympathy for stranded passengers and did “not condone people doing such irresponsible acts”. But she added:
The tranquillity was delightful to enjoy. Not a lot of concern is given to people suffering aircraft noise and it does push people to extremes. People jetting off on holiday should once in a while consider the impact they are having on the people on the ground.The tranquillity was delightful to enjoy. Not a lot of concern is given to people suffering aircraft noise and it does push people to extremes. People jetting off on holiday should once in a while consider the impact they are having on the people on the ground.
People were able to sleep last night because there weren’t aircraft booming off over their head. Gatwick impacts people’s lives.People were able to sleep last night because there weren’t aircraft booming off over their head. Gatwick impacts people’s lives.
The Ministry of Defence said it is in talks about sending military personnel to Gatwick to help resolve the impasse.The Ministry of Defence said it is in talks about sending military personnel to Gatwick to help resolve the impasse.
An MoD spokesperson said:An MoD spokesperson said:
There are ongoing discussions with the police about any military capability that could be provided to assist with their operation.There are ongoing discussions with the police about any military capability that could be provided to assist with their operation.
Renata Alinta, 50, was sat on the floor waiting with her three sons, aged nine, eight and six, in the south terminal, after arriving via a circuitous route from Northern Ireland. They were aiming to catch a flight to the Dominican Republic, where they hoped to spend Christmas.Renata Alinta, 50, was sat on the floor waiting with her three sons, aged nine, eight and six, in the south terminal, after arriving via a circuitous route from Northern Ireland. They were aiming to catch a flight to the Dominican Republic, where they hoped to spend Christmas.
Her original flight from Belfast to Gatwick had been cancelled, but after BA told her that her flight to the Caribbean was still likely to depart she had paid for another flight to Stansted, then taken a cab to West Sussex in the hope she could still catch it. The detour had cost her an extra £430. She said:Her original flight from Belfast to Gatwick had been cancelled, but after BA told her that her flight to the Caribbean was still likely to depart she had paid for another flight to Stansted, then taken a cab to West Sussex in the hope she could still catch it. The detour had cost her an extra £430. She said:
We’ve been waiting since 5am for information and we don’t know if it [the flight] is going to be cancelled. This is our first holiday to the Caribbean and everybody is upset … There are no places to sit, so we are just relaxing. We can’t even get food because people are sitting down in all the cafes.We’ve been waiting since 5am for information and we don’t know if it [the flight] is going to be cancelled. This is our first holiday to the Caribbean and everybody is upset … There are no places to sit, so we are just relaxing. We can’t even get food because people are sitting down in all the cafes.
Despite the hardships, she said she had had good help and support as she tried to rush her three boys around on their journey. The two younger boys were rolling about on the floor in frustration, while the eldest, who was suffering from a cold, dozed with his head in her lap.Despite the hardships, she said she had had good help and support as she tried to rush her three boys around on their journey. The two younger boys were rolling about on the floor in frustration, while the eldest, who was suffering from a cold, dozed with his head in her lap.
"This is our first holiday to the Caribbean and everybody is upset." Renata Alinta, 50, from Belfast, with her three sons - aged nine, eight and six. She spent an extra £430 taking a detour to Gatwick after @British_Airways said her flight would still depart. pic.twitter.com/ZzVATF3t1y"This is our first holiday to the Caribbean and everybody is upset." Renata Alinta, 50, from Belfast, with her three sons - aged nine, eight and six. She spent an extra £430 taking a detour to Gatwick after @British_Airways said her flight would still depart. pic.twitter.com/ZzVATF3t1y
Nearby, Tyreese Joseph-Scott, 16, sat with his younger sibling waiting for his family to return with food. They had a flight booked for a Christmas getaway to Montego Bay, Jamaica. He had been at Gatwick since 8.30am, and had no idea when he and his family might get to board a plane.Nearby, Tyreese Joseph-Scott, 16, sat with his younger sibling waiting for his family to return with food. They had a flight booked for a Christmas getaway to Montego Bay, Jamaica. He had been at Gatwick since 8.30am, and had no idea when he and his family might get to board a plane.
“It’s a shambles,” he said. Asked what he thought of those operating the drones that had disabled the airport, he said: “They’re just stupid. They’re doing it on purpose, clearly.”“It’s a shambles,” he said. Asked what he thought of those operating the drones that had disabled the airport, he said: “They’re just stupid. They’re doing it on purpose, clearly.”
I’ve just been speaking to Tom Chamberlain, the head of general aviation and aerospace at Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, London (AGCS), which provides corporate and specialty insurance. A pilot himself, he said the whole of the industry is watching what’s going on at Gatwick with intense interest.I’ve just been speaking to Tom Chamberlain, the head of general aviation and aerospace at Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty, London (AGCS), which provides corporate and specialty insurance. A pilot himself, he said the whole of the industry is watching what’s going on at Gatwick with intense interest.
He said anti-drone technology such as big net guns could take a drone down and there had even been experiments training hawks and eagles to take out drones. But there is still a lot of debate about what method or technology is most effective.He said anti-drone technology such as big net guns could take a drone down and there had even been experiments training hawks and eagles to take out drones. But there is still a lot of debate about what method or technology is most effective.
Most drone operators are operating within the correct regulations and boundaries, he said, and laws in the UK have been tightened in particular this year, “so that you’re not allowed to fly above 400ft and you’re not allowed to fly within 1km of an airport boundary. But clearly there are still some people who are blissfully unaware of these rules or are just flaunting them because they can.”Most drone operators are operating within the correct regulations and boundaries, he said, and laws in the UK have been tightened in particular this year, “so that you’re not allowed to fly above 400ft and you’re not allowed to fly within 1km of an airport boundary. But clearly there are still some people who are blissfully unaware of these rules or are just flaunting them because they can.”
While it’s possible to hijack someone else’s drone, he said it is unlikely that that is what has happened in the current case.While it’s possible to hijack someone else’s drone, he said it is unlikely that that is what has happened in the current case.
Give that the technology is relatively cheap, if you wanted to use a drone for nefarious purposes it’s going to be much easier to buy one off the shelf for a couple of grand. What the purpose of what they’re doing there is, is another matter. It’s a strange place to be flying particularly at that time of night so it seems a little odd that they’d be doing that.Give that the technology is relatively cheap, if you wanted to use a drone for nefarious purposes it’s going to be much easier to buy one off the shelf for a couple of grand. What the purpose of what they’re doing there is, is another matter. It’s a strange place to be flying particularly at that time of night so it seems a little odd that they’d be doing that.
He welcomed the introduction from next year of the need for owners to register their drones, though said this had been the practice in Australia and Germany for some time.He welcomed the introduction from next year of the need for owners to register their drones, though said this had been the practice in Australia and Germany for some time.
The UK could also take a leaf out of Australia’s book by having a “a central system where you have to submit the job you’re doing with your drone to the central authorities before you’re even allowed to do it”, although that would not apply to personal operators, which those behind the Gatwick drones are likely to be.The UK could also take a leaf out of Australia’s book by having a “a central system where you have to submit the job you’re doing with your drone to the central authorities before you’re even allowed to do it”, although that would not apply to personal operators, which those behind the Gatwick drones are likely to be.
In Germany, he said, there was a requirement for everyone to have insurance “regardless of whether you’re a commercial a recreational user”. He added:In Germany, he said, there was a requirement for everyone to have insurance “regardless of whether you’re a commercial a recreational user”. He added:
We’re asking the authorities to look at whether everyone shouldn’t be insured if they’re flying a drone. After all, whether for business or pleasure, the risks remain the same.We’re asking the authorities to look at whether everyone shouldn’t be insured if they’re flying a drone. After all, whether for business or pleasure, the risks remain the same.
Lastly, he says it’s incidents like that at Gatwick that unfairly give the drone industry a bad name.Lastly, he says it’s incidents like that at Gatwick that unfairly give the drone industry a bad name.
Drones are saving lives as part of lifeguard duties, the police are using them to help tackle crime, they’re being used all over the world to do deliveries, medical supplies, and all of this stuff is under threat if the public don’t trust them.Drones are saving lives as part of lifeguard duties, the police are using them to help tackle crime, they’re being used all over the world to do deliveries, medical supplies, and all of this stuff is under threat if the public don’t trust them.