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Gatwick runway reopens after drone chaos | Gatwick runway reopens after drone chaos |
(35 minutes later) | |
Gatwick's runway has reopened after drones caused the airport to shut down for more than a day. | Gatwick's runway has reopened after drones caused the airport to shut down for more than a day. |
The airport, the UK's second busiest, said 765 flights were scheduled for departure and arrival. | The airport, the UK's second busiest, said 765 flights were scheduled for departure and arrival. |
Boss Chris Woodroofe said police had not yet found the drone operator. Police said it was possible they were an environmental activist. | Boss Chris Woodroofe said police had not yet found the drone operator. Police said it was possible they were an environmental activist. |
He said extra "mitigating measures" from the government and military had given him "confidence to reopen". | He said extra "mitigating measures" from the government and military had given him "confidence to reopen". |
Thousands of passengers remain stranded at Gatwick as police continue their search for those responsible for the chaos, which started on Wednesday night. | Thousands of passengers remain stranded at Gatwick as police continue their search for those responsible for the chaos, which started on Wednesday night. |
The airport could not operate while the drones were in flight in case they hit and damaged a plane. | The airport could not operate while the drones were in flight in case they hit and damaged a plane. |
Officers have so far failed to locate the "industrial specification" drones or their pilot and had been considering plans to shoot a device down. | Officers have so far failed to locate the "industrial specification" drones or their pilot and had been considering plans to shoot a device down. |
But Steve Barry, assistant chief constable at Sussex Police, said they were in a "much better position today". | But Steve Barry, assistant chief constable at Sussex Police, said they were in a "much better position today". |
He told BBC Breakfast there were a "number of lines of inquiry" into the "very malicious and criminal behaviour", including the possibility it could have been the work of an environmental activist. | He told BBC Breakfast there were a "number of lines of inquiry" into the "very malicious and criminal behaviour", including the possibility it could have been the work of an environmental activist. |
Mr Barry said a drone had last been seen at 22:00 GMT on Thursday. | Mr Barry said a drone had last been seen at 22:00 GMT on Thursday. |
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there was no evidence it was terror-related. | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said there was no evidence it was terror-related. |
But he called it a type of disruption "we've not seen before" and "lessons need to be learned". | But he called it a type of disruption "we've not seen before" and "lessons need to be learned". |
He said the situation was "unprecedented, anywhere in the world". | He said the situation was "unprecedented, anywhere in the world". |
"Every possible measure will be put in place to make sure this can't happen again," he said. | |
But he added there was "no simple solution" and "you can't fire weapons haphazardly around an airport". | |
Mr Woodroofe would not be drawn on what measures would be taken if a drone was spotted again. | |
But he said: "Additional mitigating measures provided by government agencies and military have given me the confidence to reopen the airport." | But he said: "Additional mitigating measures provided by government agencies and military have given me the confidence to reopen the airport." |
Gatwick said the flights planned for Friday would have about 126,000 passengers on board. About 140 flights have been cancelled. | Gatwick said the flights planned for Friday would have about 126,000 passengers on board. About 140 flights have been cancelled. |
Mr Woodroofe added: "My intention is to get those passengers to their destinations so that they can enjoy their Christmas." | Mr Woodroofe added: "My intention is to get those passengers to their destinations so that they can enjoy their Christmas." |
At the scene: Tom Pugh, BBC South East reporter | At the scene: Tom Pugh, BBC South East reporter |
At Gatwick Airport's South Terminal this morning, passengers waited anxiously for news on whether their flights would depart. | At Gatwick Airport's South Terminal this morning, passengers waited anxiously for news on whether their flights would depart. |
It appears to be much quieter here today, compared to the chaotic scenes yesterday. | It appears to be much quieter here today, compared to the chaotic scenes yesterday. |
As the West Sussex airport announced the reopening of its runway on Friday, some travellers were hopeful of getting airborne. | As the West Sussex airport announced the reopening of its runway on Friday, some travellers were hopeful of getting airborne. |
But others expressed concern that the operators of the drone had not yet been apprehended - and could go on to cause more havoc. | But others expressed concern that the operators of the drone had not yet been apprehended - and could go on to cause more havoc. |
All weary travellers could do was monitor the arrival and departure boards - showing many cancellations and delays to flights - and hope their Christmas getaways would not be ruined. | All weary travellers could do was monitor the arrival and departure boards - showing many cancellations and delays to flights - and hope their Christmas getaways would not be ruined. |
The first flights in and out of Gatwick were Norwegian Air, Easyjet and BA departures and a China Eastern Airlines arrival from Shanghai. | |
About 120,000 people had been due to fly since the runway closed. | About 120,000 people had been due to fly since the runway closed. |
Gatwick continues to advise passengers to check their flight status before turning up at the airport. | Gatwick continues to advise passengers to check their flight status before turning up at the airport. |
Passengers have complained of "freezing" temperatures in the south terminal, while others found themselves stuck abroad after inbound flights were either cancelled or diverted. | Passengers have complained of "freezing" temperatures in the south terminal, while others found themselves stuck abroad after inbound flights were either cancelled or diverted. |
Dozens of passengers contacted the BBC to say uncertainty had led them to ditch their festive travel plans or spend extra money on new flights and hotel stays. | Dozens of passengers contacted the BBC to say uncertainty had led them to ditch their festive travel plans or spend extra money on new flights and hotel stays. |
Budget airline Ryanair said it was switching all of its Gatwick flights to operate in and out of Stansted airport on Friday. | Budget airline Ryanair said it was switching all of its Gatwick flights to operate in and out of Stansted airport on Friday. |
What has happened? | What has happened? |
The search for the drone | The search for the drone |
Sussex Police has been locked in a game of cat and mouse with the drone operator since the airport shutdown began. | Sussex Police has been locked in a game of cat and mouse with the drone operator since the airport shutdown began. |
Despite dozens of sightings, the main device, which detectives believe to have been "adapted and developed" to cause deliberate disruption, has not been found. | Despite dozens of sightings, the main device, which detectives believe to have been "adapted and developed" to cause deliberate disruption, has not been found. |
Det Ch Supt Jason Tingley said police were re-evaluating plans for armed officers to shoot the drone down after other methods failed. | Det Ch Supt Jason Tingley said police were re-evaluating plans for armed officers to shoot the drone down after other methods failed. |
The measure was initially dismissed over the risk posed by "stray bullets". | The measure was initially dismissed over the risk posed by "stray bullets". |
Supt Justin Burtenshaw, head of armed policing for Sussex and Surrey, said finding the drone's operator was "a difficult and challenging" prospect. | Supt Justin Burtenshaw, head of armed policing for Sussex and Surrey, said finding the drone's operator was "a difficult and challenging" prospect. |
"Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears; when we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears," he said on Thursday. | "Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears; when we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears," he said on Thursday. |
What has happened to passengers? | What has happened to passengers? |
Travellers have found themselves unable to fly in and out of Gatwick. | Travellers have found themselves unable to fly in and out of Gatwick. |
Thousands have been left stranded for hours inside the airport's terminal building, resorting to sleeping on floors and benches. | Thousands have been left stranded for hours inside the airport's terminal building, resorting to sleeping on floors and benches. |
Some who spoke to the BBC included a couple hoping to honeymoon in New York and a seven-year-old who had been due to fly to Lapland. | Some who spoke to the BBC included a couple hoping to honeymoon in New York and a seven-year-old who had been due to fly to Lapland. |
Others have found themselves stuck abroad. | Others have found themselves stuck abroad. |
Earlier this week, Gatwick predicted a "record-breaking" festive period, with tens of thousands of passengers expected most days. | Earlier this week, Gatwick predicted a "record-breaking" festive period, with tens of thousands of passengers expected most days. |
Airport chief Mr Woodroofe refused to comment on the possibility of those affected by the chaos being awarded compensation. | Airport chief Mr Woodroofe refused to comment on the possibility of those affected by the chaos being awarded compensation. |
The Civil Aviation Authority said it considered the event to be an "extraordinary circumstance", and therefore airlines were not obligated to pay any financial compensation to passengers. | The Civil Aviation Authority said it considered the event to be an "extraordinary circumstance", and therefore airlines were not obligated to pay any financial compensation to passengers. |
Alex Neill, from consumer rights group Which?, said people "may still be entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers". | Alex Neill, from consumer rights group Which?, said people "may still be entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers". |
One passenger printed off his Easyjet boarding pass only to find an advert for a drone. | One passenger printed off his Easyjet boarding pass only to find an advert for a drone. |
He tweeted: "You couldn't make this up: the boarding pass for my maybe-cancelled Easyjet flight from #Gatwick tomorrow advertises… drones!" | He tweeted: "You couldn't make this up: the boarding pass for my maybe-cancelled Easyjet flight from #Gatwick tomorrow advertises… drones!" |
Airports and drones: The law | Airports and drones: The law |
It is illegal to fly a drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary and flying above 400ft (120m) - which increases the risk of a collision with a manned aircraft - is also banned. | It is illegal to fly a drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary and flying above 400ft (120m) - which increases the risk of a collision with a manned aircraft - is also banned. |
Endangering the safety of an aircraft is a criminal offence which can carry a prison sentence of five years. | Endangering the safety of an aircraft is a criminal offence which can carry a prison sentence of five years. |
The number of aircraft incidents involving drones has grown dramatically in the past few years, as the popularity of the devices has increased. | The number of aircraft incidents involving drones has grown dramatically in the past few years, as the popularity of the devices has increased. |
In 2013 there were zero incidents, compared to almost 100 last year. | In 2013 there were zero incidents, compared to almost 100 last year. |
Mr Grayling said the government was looking to "go further" with drone-control, including considering age-limits for users. | Mr Grayling said the government was looking to "go further" with drone-control, including considering age-limits for users. |
He added: "Anyone who tries to do the same [as at Gatwick] again, should expect to go to jail for a long time." | He added: "Anyone who tries to do the same [as at Gatwick] again, should expect to go to jail for a long time." |
Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? Do you have any questions about your consumer rights? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? Do you have any questions about your consumer rights? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |