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Gatwick airport disruption: police still trying to catch drones after flights cancelled - live Gatwick airport disruption: police still trying to catch drones after flights cancelled – live
(35 minutes later)
Much of the misery in Gatwick this morning is centred on a near 300 metre-long, slowly moving queue for the Norwegian Airlines information desk - at which a single member of staff is dealing with passengers queries.
Rebecca Dahl, 20, from Copenhagen, was about three quarters of the way to the front. She had been waiting for three hours. Her flight was now expected to depart at 6am tomorrow morning, but she was desperate to try to rebook to an earlier flight.
"I'm hoping there's an earlier flight because I have no place to stay and I don't have any money."Rebecca Dahl, 20, from Copenhagen, has been waiting in the @Fly_Norwegian queue at #gatwick for three hours. pic.twitter.com/igPpfhcMQA
“I’m hoping to that there’s another one that’s earlier because I have no place to stay and I don’t have any money,” she said. “Maybe they can hook me up with a hotel or something.
Dahl, who is on a gap year from university, said she had been visiting a friend in London. “I missed my flight coming here too, so I’m very unlucky,” she said.
Further back, near the start of the queue was Maria Vega, also 20, who was hoping to fly with Norwegian to Las Vegas, to go home for Christmas. She had been waiting in line for about 70 minutes, she said, but had moved just 30 or 40 ft.
"Patience is a virtue, that's what my mum tells me. But I think I'm going to crack up by hour five."Maria Vega, 20, a student in London, waiting in a long queue for news of her eight hour delayed @Fly_Norwegian flight to Las Vegas.#gatwick pic.twitter.com/WCBcHnTLo1
Her flight had been delayed for eight hours, but she was still hopeful that she could depart tonight. “Patience is a virtue, that’s what my mum tells me; but I think I’m going to crack by hour five,” she said. “It’s just waiting here then having to go on an 11-hour flight.”
Vega, a student at Birkbeck in London, said she thought the queue was only moving because people in front of her were leaving it rather than wait any longer.
But she said she had to stick it out, because she was unable to check in online for her flight. “I just don’t know if I should go home, because then the trains could be delayed,” she said.
Here’s what we know so far:
Flights in and out of Gatwick airport remain suspended more than 14 hours after at least one drone was spotted on the runway. Thousands of passengers face disruption that is likely to last until Friday at the earliest. At least 760 flights have been cancelled.
Police are appealing for the public’s help in catching the operator of the drone. Some 20 police units are searching the perimeter of the airfield.
Gatwick said the drone could not be shot down for fear of stray bullets harming members of the public. But police have said they are reviewing options for downing the drone.
Police said they do not believe the incident is terror related, but they do believe it is a deliberate act to disrupt the airport.
Aviation minister Baroness Sugg is due to give an update on the situation in the House of Lords. Labour said the government has been too slow at address safety concerns about drones. Pilots have called for tougher laws against drones.
Police continue to search for drones on the runway.
A mother said she has suffered an “emotional disaster” after spending the night on a cold floor with her eight-year-old-daughter and three-year-old son, PA reports.
Yulia Hristova, who was meant to fly to Istanbul via Kiev at 3am and has been at the airport since midnight, said:
“With two kids I’m in a difficult position, I’m so tired, I’m so upset, we’ve had no information.
“We were standing for hours, nobody’s been on the desk. It was so cold. We were sleeping on the floor, me and my children. I lost my son during the night, and a policeman brought him back.
“I was meant to be reunited with my family, my kids were so excited they didn’t sleep until 6am, they were waiting to get on the plane.
“It’s been an emotional disaster. I’m so exhausted, I don’t want to stress out but it’s very worrying. What’s going to happen to us in Ukraine? What if we run out of money? Are the airline going to put us in a hotel?
“I want to give up right now, it’s making me so anxious.”
Labour says the government has been too slow at address safety concerns about drones.Labour says the government has been too slow at address safety concerns about drones.
Shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald said: “Events at Gatwick Airport highlight the urgent need for clear rules on the use of drones near airports. There has been growing concern over the increasing number of near misses between drones and manned aircraft and the government has been too slow to act.Shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald said: “Events at Gatwick Airport highlight the urgent need for clear rules on the use of drones near airports. There has been growing concern over the increasing number of near misses between drones and manned aircraft and the government has been too slow to act.
He added: “The government should fast-track the introduction of a regulatory framework to protect against the misuse of drones and ensure the safety of UK airspace. This should include a drone exclusion zone around airports.”He added: “The government should fast-track the introduction of a regulatory framework to protect against the misuse of drones and ensure the safety of UK airspace. This should include a drone exclusion zone around airports.”
Transport minister, Baroness Sugg, is due to give a statement about the disruption at Gatwick, in an update to the House of Lords at 11.35am.Transport minister, Baroness Sugg, is due to give a statement about the disruption at Gatwick, in an update to the House of Lords at 11.35am.
I have just granted a PNQ from Baroness @jennyranderson to ask @transportgovuk Minister, Baroness Sugg, what the HMG response is to the disruption at @Gatwick_Airport caused by drone activity. Watch from 11.35am here: https://t.co/86Hwdwg8GN #drones #GatwickI have just granted a PNQ from Baroness @jennyranderson to ask @transportgovuk Minister, Baroness Sugg, what the HMG response is to the disruption at @Gatwick_Airport caused by drone activity. Watch from 11.35am here: https://t.co/86Hwdwg8GN #drones #Gatwick
Sussex Police is asking for the public’s help in locating the Gatwick drone operator.Sussex Police is asking for the public’s help in locating the Gatwick drone operator.
#GatwickDrones | We are appealing for information to help us identify the operators of the #Gatwick #drones. If you know who's responsible or have any information please call 999 and quote ref 1350-19/12. Please RT pic.twitter.com/jkcakBohMr#GatwickDrones | We are appealing for information to help us identify the operators of the #Gatwick #drones. If you know who's responsible or have any information please call 999 and quote ref 1350-19/12. Please RT pic.twitter.com/jkcakBohMr
There is barely enough space for passengers to navigate trolleys piled high with luggage around the check-in desks , as passengers just arriving at the airport are told on information screens that there would be no flights until at least 11am. Arthur Serbejs, 22, and Domante Balciuniate, 21, factory workers from Hastings, sat on the floor by a prayer room, approaching their 16th hour of waiting for a flight to Barcelona.There is barely enough space for passengers to navigate trolleys piled high with luggage around the check-in desks , as passengers just arriving at the airport are told on information screens that there would be no flights until at least 11am. Arthur Serbejs, 22, and Domante Balciuniate, 21, factory workers from Hastings, sat on the floor by a prayer room, approaching their 16th hour of waiting for a flight to Barcelona.
“We came about 6pm yesterday, and we’re going to be here until like 7pm,” Serbejs said. “At 9pm yesterday we were on the plane for four hours - they turned the lights off and everything like it was going to take off.”“We came about 6pm yesterday, and we’re going to be here until like 7pm,” Serbejs said. “At 9pm yesterday we were on the plane for four hours - they turned the lights off and everything like it was going to take off.”
“But we were still sitting there,” Balciunate added. Serbejs said he had fallen asleep while the plane sat on the apron, hoping to wake up in Spain, “and I woke up and we hadn’t moved.”“But we were still sitting there,” Balciunate added. Serbejs said he had fallen asleep while the plane sat on the apron, hoping to wake up in Spain, “and I woke up and we hadn’t moved.”
Eventually they were taken off the flight, and offered a hotel in Brighton, which they declined as they live close by. They were told they would get an email with a ticked for another flat, but none came. “We stood in line for three hours for a 30 second conversation saying ‘your flight has already been transferred hours ago’, but we didn’t know about it,” Serbejs said.Eventually they were taken off the flight, and offered a hotel in Brighton, which they declined as they live close by. They were told they would get an email with a ticked for another flat, but none came. “We stood in line for three hours for a 30 second conversation saying ‘your flight has already been transferred hours ago’, but we didn’t know about it,” Serbejs said.
“It’s crazy, it’s my worst airport experience.”“It’s crazy, it’s my worst airport experience.”
“We don’t even expect to go to Barcelona anymore,” Balciunate said. “Maybe there’s another drone up there - but we have hope. There’s a prayer room over there, we were thinking about going.”“We don’t even expect to go to Barcelona anymore,” Balciunate said. “Maybe there’s another drone up there - but we have hope. There’s a prayer room over there, we were thinking about going.”
"Maybe there's another drone up there, but we have hope. There's a prayer room over there, we were thinking about going."Domante Balciunate, 21, and Arthur Serbejs, 22, who are at #gatwick in the middle of an expected 25-hour delay to their long weekend in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/CgqYQlPSdH"Maybe there's another drone up there, but we have hope. There's a prayer room over there, we were thinking about going."Domante Balciunate, 21, and Arthur Serbejs, 22, who are at #gatwick in the middle of an expected 25-hour delay to their long weekend in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/CgqYQlPSdH
PA has also been talking to some of the thousands of passengers disrupted by the incident.PA has also been talking to some of the thousands of passengers disrupted by the incident.
Chris Lister, from Somerset, who owns an online business, was travelling back from Kiev with his wife Freya.Chris Lister, from Somerset, who owns an online business, was travelling back from Kiev with his wife Freya.
He was due to land at Gatwick at 9.45pm on Wednesday but ended up trapped on the plane on the tarmac at Birmingham Airport until 6am.He was due to land at Gatwick at 9.45pm on Wednesday but ended up trapped on the plane on the tarmac at Birmingham Airport until 6am.
“There were quite a few babies and kids on board, I think they were struggling more than we were and one woman had run out milk,” he said. After starting his journey in Bangkok on Tuesday he was finally let off the plane at 6am, he said. Joseph Ouechen, a photographer from Morocco, was due to fly into Gatwick on Wednesday night but had his flight diverted to Paris.“There were quite a few babies and kids on board, I think they were struggling more than we were and one woman had run out milk,” he said. After starting his journey in Bangkok on Tuesday he was finally let off the plane at 6am, he said. Joseph Ouechen, a photographer from Morocco, was due to fly into Gatwick on Wednesday night but had his flight diverted to Paris.
After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport at midnight, passengers with visas for the Schengen area were taken to a hotel but those without - “about 20%” - were left in the airport to fend for themselves, he said.After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport at midnight, passengers with visas for the Schengen area were taken to a hotel but those without - “about 20%” - were left in the airport to fend for themselves, he said.
“There were families with babies who couldn’t get to their suitcases for their milk and stuff,” he said. “We were asking just for a favour if (airport staff) could help but they said they couldn’t do anything.” Firefighters eventually crossed the border through passport control with blankets and water at 3.30am, he said.“There were families with babies who couldn’t get to their suitcases for their milk and stuff,” he said. “We were asking just for a favour if (airport staff) could help but they said they couldn’t do anything.” Firefighters eventually crossed the border through passport control with blankets and water at 3.30am, he said.
“To be honest, I’m so tired and when the guys from the fire (service) came with the bottles and blankets I was feeling like a war, like (I was) a refugee, but I’m just flying to the UK.“To be honest, I’m so tired and when the guys from the fire (service) came with the bottles and blankets I was feeling like a war, like (I was) a refugee, but I’m just flying to the UK.
“It’s surreal. I was flying to the UK and now there are firemen bringing me water and blankets.”“It’s surreal. I was flying to the UK and now there are firemen bringing me water and blankets.”
Mamosta Abdulla said he was on an Iraq-bound flight on Wednesday evening before getting stuck on the tarmac for four hours. He will miss his father’s memorial service, he said.Mamosta Abdulla said he was on an Iraq-bound flight on Wednesday evening before getting stuck on the tarmac for four hours. He will miss his father’s memorial service, he said.
“We got here at 6pm and should have flown at 9.10pm, but we were stuck four hours on the plane with a crying baby, the child was disabled and everyone was sweating because it was so hot in there,” he said. Passengers were given a 12 voucher for food, he added, but were left to sleep “in a freezing place on uncomfortable chairs”.“We got here at 6pm and should have flown at 9.10pm, but we were stuck four hours on the plane with a crying baby, the child was disabled and everyone was sweating because it was so hot in there,” he said. Passengers were given a 12 voucher for food, he added, but were left to sleep “in a freezing place on uncomfortable chairs”.
“We are in Iraq with bombs going off nearby and the plane still lands. But here some drones have shut down the airport.”“We are in Iraq with bombs going off nearby and the plane still lands. But here some drones have shut down the airport.”
Sussex Police confirmed there are no indications to suggest the drone incident is terror related.Sussex Police confirmed there are no indications to suggest the drone incident is terror related.
#GatwickDrones | We are carrying out a joint search w/ @Gatwick_Airport for the operators of #drones sighted at #Gatwick. Public safety is paramount and we will take all available actions to disrupt this deliberate act. There are no indications to suggest this is terror related. pic.twitter.com/J36d0Xzo2G#GatwickDrones | We are carrying out a joint search w/ @Gatwick_Airport for the operators of #drones sighted at #Gatwick. Public safety is paramount and we will take all available actions to disrupt this deliberate act. There are no indications to suggest this is terror related. pic.twitter.com/J36d0Xzo2G
Supt Justin Burtenshaw, Gatwick Airport policing commander, is in charge of trying catch the drone operator.Supt Justin Burtenshaw, Gatwick Airport policing commander, is in charge of trying catch the drone operator.
Speaking to BBC News, he said: “We are still getting sightings of the drone in and around the airfield. I have got over 20 units from Surrey and Sussex and from the airport searching for the drone operator. We are exploring other options to try and bring this situation to a close.”Speaking to BBC News, he said: “We are still getting sightings of the drone in and around the airfield. I have got over 20 units from Surrey and Sussex and from the airport searching for the drone operator. We are exploring other options to try and bring this situation to a close.”
He said the police believe operator is deliberately trying to disrupt the airport, but there has been no intelligence that this is a terrorist incident.He said the police believe operator is deliberately trying to disrupt the airport, but there has been no intelligence that this is a terrorist incident.
Burtenshaw, a former head of armed policing at Sussex and Surrey, added:Burtenshaw, a former head of armed policing at Sussex and Surrey, added:
“Each time we believe we get close to the operator the drone disappears when we look to reopen the airfield the drone reappears, so I’m absolutely convinced it is a deliberate act to disrupt Gatwick airport.“Each time we believe we get close to the operator the drone disappears when we look to reopen the airfield the drone reappears, so I’m absolutely convinced it is a deliberate act to disrupt Gatwick airport.
There has been no intelligence that this is going to happen. This is just a random act that has happened overnight.There has been no intelligence that this is going to happen. This is just a random act that has happened overnight.
“I’m convinced we will [capture the operator]. It is a painstaking thing. The bigger the drone the further the reach of the operator so it is a difficult and challenging thing to locate them. But I’ve got teams and investigators looking at how we do that and I’m confident we will.“I’m convinced we will [capture the operator]. It is a painstaking thing. The bigger the drone the further the reach of the operator so it is a difficult and challenging thing to locate them. But I’ve got teams and investigators looking at how we do that and I’m confident we will.
"I'm absolutely convinced it's a deliberate act to disrupt #Gatwick Airport" - Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw says more than 20 police units are searching for the drone operatorhttps://t.co/wDW0Rtnkq1 pic.twitter.com/Fh98WmaCjL"I'm absolutely convinced it's a deliberate act to disrupt #Gatwick Airport" - Superintendent Justin Burtenshaw says more than 20 police units are searching for the drone operatorhttps://t.co/wDW0Rtnkq1 pic.twitter.com/Fh98WmaCjL
More than 13 hours after a drone was first spotted over Gatwick the police are still trying to bring it down.More than 13 hours after a drone was first spotted over Gatwick the police are still trying to bring it down.
Transport minister Baroness Sugg “The police are working to bring the drone down, and I am confident that they will do so.”Transport minister Baroness Sugg “The police are working to bring the drone down, and I am confident that they will do so.”
She added: “Our priority is to get that airport open as safely as possible so that people can fly off on their Christmas breaks, or people who are coming in to visit friends and family.”She added: “Our priority is to get that airport open as safely as possible so that people can fly off on their Christmas breaks, or people who are coming in to visit friends and family.”
Various techniques are available for combatting drones, including eagles:Various techniques are available for combatting drones, including eagles:
And a signal jamming Sky Fence that has been successfully deployed around Guernsey prison.And a signal jamming Sky Fence that has been successfully deployed around Guernsey prison.
Anti-drone technology could be introduced in English prisonsAnti-drone technology could be introduced in English prisons
LNER is offering those whose flights have been cancelled between Edinburgh and Gatwick free rail travel.LNER is offering those whose flights have been cancelled between Edinburgh and Gatwick free rail travel.
Has your flight between London #GatwickAirport and Edinburgh been cancelled today? If so, you can use your flight tickets to travel on our trains today for FREE. #HomeforChristmas 🎅 https://t.co/iEB3oRh2NvHas your flight between London #GatwickAirport and Edinburgh been cancelled today? If so, you can use your flight tickets to travel on our trains today for FREE. #HomeforChristmas 🎅 https://t.co/iEB3oRh2Nv
Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “We know how important it is to get to where you’re going and are delighted that we are able to step in and help out.”Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “We know how important it is to get to where you’re going and are delighted that we are able to step in and help out.”
And EasyJet is offering free flight transfers.And EasyJet is offering free flight transfers.
Customers on cancelled flights will be entitled to a free of charge transfer to an alternative flight. Whilst the situation is outside of our control we would like to apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused.Customers on cancelled flights will be entitled to a free of charge transfer to an alternative flight. Whilst the situation is outside of our control we would like to apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused.