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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2018/dec/20/gatwick-airport-drone-travel-chaos-disruption-live-updates

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Gatwick airport: easyJet cancels all flights today as it's unclear when runways will reopen – live Gatwick airport: easyJet cancels all flights today as it's unclear when runways will reopen – live
(35 minutes later)
The drone keeps reappearing before the runway can reopen, according to Sky News.
It is coming up to 23 hours since the disruption began and the perpetrator(s) remain at large.
UPDATE: Drone was seen at 16:00 over #Gatwick, continues to re-appear each time airport tries to reopen runway, currently 633 of 760 flights today have been cancelled, 102,000 passengers affected
Here is the latest statement from the airport:
“Gatwick Airport’s runway remains unavailable because of continued drone sightings and some airlines have cancelled all flights.
“There is significant disruption at Gatwick today as a result of what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt flights, and we anticipate disruption to continue into tomorrow.
“We are extremely disappointed that passengers are being affected by this especially at such an important time of year. We are working with our airlines to put plans in place to recover our operations once given the go ahead to re-open our runway.
“We are prioritising the welfare of those at the airport by deploying staff into our terminals to look after people as best we can.
“Once again, we apologise to our passengers for the continued disruption. Safety is our absolute priority.”
📢 Have you been affected by the #drones at Gatwick today ✈️? If your travel plans have been changed, we’ve made the following arrangements to help get you on the move without any further hassle.ℹ️Latest info here👉 https://t.co/wvJZWLoSGt pic.twitter.com/A7XSUYJJ53
At Athens International Airport, EasyJet passengers are furious that they were not informed earlier of flight cancellations in contrast to those flying domestically in the UK.At Athens International Airport, EasyJet passengers are furious that they were not informed earlier of flight cancellations in contrast to those flying domestically in the UK.
Passengers on the 1:10 PM flight to Gatwick were told more than seven hours after check-ins closed that the flight had been indefinitely suspended after being told initially it had only been delayed by an hour. Passengers on the 1:10 PM flight to Gatwick learned more than seven hours after check-ins closed that the flight had been indefinitely suspended after being told initially it had only been delayed by an hour.
One traveller said:One traveller said:
By the time my daughter woke up she had been informed her flight from Edinburgh to Gatwick today had been cancelled while here were were told to get to the airport and endure the wait.” By the time my daughter woke up she had been informed her flight from Edinburgh to Gatwick today had been cancelled while here we were told to get to the airport and endure the wait.”
Passengers were offered a 4.60 euro refreshment coupon as they endured what airport operators were calling “an open delay.”Passengers were offered a 4.60 euro refreshment coupon as they endured what airport operators were calling “an open delay.”
An EasyJet manager has predicted that Gatwick was likely to be in chaos for several days given the backlog of flights throughout Europe.An EasyJet manager has predicted that Gatwick was likely to be in chaos for several days given the backlog of flights throughout Europe.
What we have seen has made us ask what if the same thing happened in Athens,” he said expressing fears of a coordinated drone disruption across Europe.What we have seen has made us ask what if the same thing happened in Athens,” he said expressing fears of a coordinated drone disruption across Europe.
At Heathrow Airport meanwhile, a computer system used by several airlines failed.At Heathrow Airport meanwhile, a computer system used by several airlines failed.
The Amadeus Check in system crashed for about 20 minutes. The Amadeus Check in system crashed for about 20 minutes at around 3.30pm.
However, British Airways said no flights have been delayed and the system is back in business.However, British Airways said no flights have been delayed and the system is back in business.
A BA spokesman said no flights will be delayed or diverted as a result of the glitch.A BA spokesman said no flights will be delayed or diverted as a result of the glitch.
Friday is expected to be the the busiest travel day of the year as millions of people embark on the Christmas getaway.Friday is expected to be the the busiest travel day of the year as millions of people embark on the Christmas getaway.
Abta, the travel trade organisation, expects more than 4.7 million people to head abroad from the UK between this week and January 2nd.Abta, the travel trade organisation, expects more than 4.7 million people to head abroad from the UK between this week and January 2nd.
Stewart Wingate, the Gatwick chief executive, has said he is “not in a position to say when it will be safe to reopen the airport”.Stewart Wingate, the Gatwick chief executive, has said he is “not in a position to say when it will be safe to reopen the airport”.
Mark Tanzer, the Abta chief executive, said: “Christmas and New Year are always very busy times for the travel industry as people head off to spend their well-earned holidays with family and friends.”Mark Tanzer, the Abta chief executive, said: “Christmas and New Year are always very busy times for the travel industry as people head off to spend their well-earned holidays with family and friends.”
He added:He added:
“Whether holidaymakers are flying away for some winter sun, travelling to a snowy destination or staying closer to home, this year’s festive break looks set to be another busy one.“Whether holidaymakers are flying away for some winter sun, travelling to a snowy destination or staying closer to home, this year’s festive break looks set to be another busy one.
“It’s important people allow extra time for their journeys and check ahead for any disruption if travelling by public transport.”“It’s important people allow extra time for their journeys and check ahead for any disruption if travelling by public transport.”
A few people in the Gatwick area have shown commendable community/Christmas spirit by offering stranded passengers a roof over their head.A few people in the Gatwick area have shown commendable community/Christmas spirit by offering stranded passengers a roof over their head.
This is a brilliant idea. We're about a 20-minute drive from Gatwick, too, and would be glad to offer a bed for the night should anyone be in genuine need. https://t.co/TvvgLjGyvuThis is a brilliant idea. We're about a 20-minute drive from Gatwick, too, and would be glad to offer a bed for the night should anyone be in genuine need. https://t.co/TvvgLjGyvu
Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick airport, has released a statement but gave no indication of when the airport would reopen. He urged passengers to check with their airline or on the airport’s website.Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick airport, has released a statement but gave no indication of when the airport would reopen. He urged passengers to check with their airline or on the airport’s website.
He said:He said:
Although not for today, these events obviously highlight a wider strategic challenge for aviation in this country which we need to address together with speed - the aviation industry, Government and all the other relevant authorities. It cannot be right that drones can close a vital part of our national infrastructure in this way. This is obviously a relatively new technology and we need to think through together the right solutions to make sure it cannot happen again.Although not for today, these events obviously highlight a wider strategic challenge for aviation in this country which we need to address together with speed - the aviation industry, Government and all the other relevant authorities. It cannot be right that drones can close a vital part of our national infrastructure in this way. This is obviously a relatively new technology and we need to think through together the right solutions to make sure it cannot happen again.
In the meantime all our focus is on sorting the current challenge and getting services back to normal for passengers. At the moment, I am not in a position to say with certainty when that might be but everyone is doing whatever they can to help make that happen.”In the meantime all our focus is on sorting the current challenge and getting services back to normal for passengers. At the moment, I am not in a position to say with certainty when that might be but everyone is doing whatever they can to help make that happen.”
The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said there was no known motive for the pilot of the drone, which he said was a commercial one.The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said there was no known motive for the pilot of the drone, which he said was a commercial one.
The problems at Gatwick have moved the Department for Transport to temporarily change the rules governing night flights.The problems at Gatwick have moved the Department for Transport to temporarily change the rules governing night flights.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says he is temporarily lifting the night-flying restriction at other airports to ease the diverted aircraft congestion from Gatwick AirportTransport Secretary Chris Grayling says he is temporarily lifting the night-flying restriction at other airports to ease the diverted aircraft congestion from Gatwick Airport
EasyJet has cancelled all of its flights from and to Gatwick today and is obviously not optimistic about the situation being resolved anytime soon: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.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.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, the founder of the US company Airspace, told Sky News it could take up to two days to find the drones.Jaz Banga, the founder of the 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 to detect drones. But he said it took time to find drones, even active ones:His company works with the US army to detect drones and says all airports should have perimeter systems in place to detect drones. But he said it took time to find drones, even active ones:
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.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.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.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”.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.