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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2018/dec/21/gatwick-drone-airport-limited-flights-live
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| Gatwick airport: drone operator not yet found but flights resume – live | Gatwick airport: drone operator not yet found but flights resume – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A total of 91 of 412 scheduled arrivals have been cancelled, according to Gatwick spokesman, while 64 of 371 scheduled departures have been cancelled. | |
| He added that “significant” numbers of flights are arriving and departing and advised passengers to check with their airline. | |
| In comparison to the assurances given by Gatwick Airport authorities and the government, quite a different tone is coming from the pilots’ union who have said on Twitter that it remains “extremely concerned” at the risk of a drone collision. | In comparison to the assurances given by Gatwick Airport authorities and the government, quite a different tone is coming from the pilots’ union who have said on Twitter that it remains “extremely concerned” at the risk of a drone collision. |
| BALPA remains extremely concerned at the risk of a drone collision. It is possible that the rogue drones may go undetected around the perimeter or could obstruct the flight paths outside the immediate detection zone. (5/7) | BALPA remains extremely concerned at the risk of a drone collision. It is possible that the rogue drones may go undetected around the perimeter or could obstruct the flight paths outside the immediate detection zone. (5/7) |
| Although the south terminal here at Gatwick is very busy this morning, it is also relatively calm. People seem to have arrived well prepared for the disruption. | Although the south terminal here at Gatwick is very busy this morning, it is also relatively calm. People seem to have arrived well prepared for the disruption. |
| Leigh Wynkoop and her son Paul (pictured below) are sitting on the floor, waiting to catch a flight to New York city before traveling on to their home in Durham, North Carolina. They first arrived at Gatwick on Thursday morning at around 7am for a morning flight and stayed until about 2pm before booking themselves into a nearby hotel. | Leigh Wynkoop and her son Paul (pictured below) are sitting on the floor, waiting to catch a flight to New York city before traveling on to their home in Durham, North Carolina. They first arrived at Gatwick on Thursday morning at around 7am for a morning flight and stayed until about 2pm before booking themselves into a nearby hotel. |
| “I just paid for the hotel myself and kept the receipt because I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. Their flight was rescheduled for 9.50am on Friday and then delayed until 1pm. | “I just paid for the hotel myself and kept the receipt because I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. Their flight was rescheduled for 9.50am on Friday and then delayed until 1pm. |
| Our flight from New York to back home was this afternoon and I’ve had to reschedule that to the tune of £500. Now we’re not going to make that, so we’re going to sleep on the floor of my aunt’s house in New York city and fly tomorrow. We’ll get home 48 hours later than planned. | Our flight from New York to back home was this afternoon and I’ve had to reschedule that to the tune of £500. Now we’re not going to make that, so we’re going to sleep on the floor of my aunt’s house in New York city and fly tomorrow. We’ll get home 48 hours later than planned. |
| “It’s no one’s fault except for one idiot,” said Wynkoop. “What could the airport do? It’s a safety issue. They couldn’t have flown us. I understand that.” | “It’s no one’s fault except for one idiot,” said Wynkoop. “What could the airport do? It’s a safety issue. They couldn’t have flown us. I understand that.” |
| She added: “It’s just an extraordinary circumstance for everybody and I feel very fortunate that I wasn’t traveling with an infant and that I could afford to get a hotel.” | She added: “It’s just an extraordinary circumstance for everybody and I feel very fortunate that I wasn’t traveling with an infant and that I could afford to get a hotel.” |
| Espen (a 30-year-old who just gave his first name) is also back at Gatwick for the second time in two days. He and his girlfriend are trying to get back home to Hamar in Norway after a holiday in London. | Espen (a 30-year-old who just gave his first name) is also back at Gatwick for the second time in two days. He and his girlfriend are trying to get back home to Hamar in Norway after a holiday in London. |
| I got a notice from Norwegian Air at around 11am in the morning (on Thursday) saying the flight was cancelled. I tried to call them for almost two hours but I couldn’t get through. Then I saw that they had scheduled a plane to Stockholm last night, so we booked that. Then as we were on the way to the airport they cancelled it. | I got a notice from Norwegian Air at around 11am in the morning (on Thursday) saying the flight was cancelled. I tried to call them for almost two hours but I couldn’t get through. Then I saw that they had scheduled a plane to Stockholm last night, so we booked that. Then as we were on the way to the airport they cancelled it. |
| They are hoping to get on a flight at 13.45 today. | They are hoping to get on a flight at 13.45 today. |
| It’s likely that there’s going to be renewed scrutiny into the preparations (or lack of them) in government circles for events like drone disruption at airports. | It’s likely that there’s going to be renewed scrutiny into the preparations (or lack of them) in government circles for events like drone disruption at airports. |
| Discussions date back to at least 2015, though campaigners have in the past accused the Government of a “culture of secrecy” when it comes to drones and the formulation of policy. | Discussions date back to at least 2015, though campaigners have in the past accused the Government of a “culture of secrecy” when it comes to drones and the formulation of policy. |
| Here’s a tweet this morning from a solicitor who acted for an attempt by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Drones to overturn a refusal by the Department for Transport to release details about discussions on drones under the Freedom of Information Act: | Here’s a tweet this morning from a solicitor who acted for an attempt by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Drones to overturn a refusal by the Department for Transport to release details about discussions on drones under the Freedom of Information Act: |
| The @APPGDrones was using #FOIA to push for greater transparency around the @transportgovuk-led discussions re. drone regulation in 2015, yet debate and discussion was resisted. No surprise @chrisgraylingmp is helming this latest disaster https://t.co/TipImiqvs4 | The @APPGDrones was using #FOIA to push for greater transparency around the @transportgovuk-led discussions re. drone regulation in 2015, yet debate and discussion was resisted. No surprise @chrisgraylingmp is helming this latest disaster https://t.co/TipImiqvs4 |
| The original FOI sought details of the ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Cross Government Working Group.’ | The original FOI sought details of the ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Cross Government Working Group.’ |
| In a legal submission, it was said that MPs only became aware of its existence because a member of the Ministry of Defence’s Weapons, Evaluation, Capability and Assurance group alluded it when speaking at an arms fair which took place in September 2013. | In a legal submission, it was said that MPs only became aware of its existence because a member of the Ministry of Defence’s Weapons, Evaluation, Capability and Assurance group alluded it when speaking at an arms fair which took place in September 2013. |
| The committee subsequently committed in 2015 to greater transparency by publishing a list of drones use by government departments, release summaries of meetings and set up what was described as an “oversight board.” | The committee subsequently committed in 2015 to greater transparency by publishing a list of drones use by government departments, release summaries of meetings and set up what was described as an “oversight board.” |
| I’ve just asked the Department for Transport to point us in the direction of where those minutes and other details can be found. | I’ve just asked the Department for Transport to point us in the direction of where those minutes and other details can be found. |
| Gatwick’s chief executive has refused to rule out the the possibility of future drone disruption once the military leave the airport. | Gatwick’s chief executive has refused to rule out the the possibility of future drone disruption once the military leave the airport. |
| Speaking outside of the airport this morning, Chris Woodroofe said there is currently no commercially available equipment he could put in place to neutralise the threat. | Speaking outside of the airport this morning, Chris Woodroofe said there is currently no commercially available equipment he could put in place to neutralise the threat. |
| “This is an unprecedented issue. This isn’t a Gatwick Airport issue. It’s not even a UK issue. It’s an international issue,” he added. | “This is an unprecedented issue. This isn’t a Gatwick Airport issue. It’s not even a UK issue. It’s an international issue,” he added. |
| “What we need to be doing going forward is work with technology providers and with the Government to enhance our ability to address the risk posed by drones to airports,” said Woodroofe. | “What we need to be doing going forward is work with technology providers and with the Government to enhance our ability to address the risk posed by drones to airports,” said Woodroofe. |
| “We have been working with technology providers ourselves for the last 12 months but stood here today, there is no commercially available airport licensed proven technology that I could implement.” | “We have been working with technology providers ourselves for the last 12 months but stood here today, there is no commercially available airport licensed proven technology that I could implement.” |
| Asked if there is anything in place to stop this happening again once the military leave, he said: “My number one priority is going to be the safety of our passengers. And so, if the drone comes and endangers an aircraft then we will suspend runway operations because safety is the number one priority.” | Asked if there is anything in place to stop this happening again once the military leave, he said: “My number one priority is going to be the safety of our passengers. And so, if the drone comes and endangers an aircraft then we will suspend runway operations because safety is the number one priority.” |
| RTE’s London Correspondent, Fiona Mitchell, is at Heathrow this morning, where travellers have been drawing solace from a new source: | RTE’s London Correspondent, Fiona Mitchell, is at Heathrow this morning, where travellers have been drawing solace from a new source: |
| A lot of zen @HeathrowAirport this morning. Sixth time I’ve heard someone say ‘at least it’s not Gatwick’ #HolidaysAreComing pic.twitter.com/CpDnVSdEmH | A lot of zen @HeathrowAirport this morning. Sixth time I’ve heard someone say ‘at least it’s not Gatwick’ #HolidaysAreComing pic.twitter.com/CpDnVSdEmH |
| The pilots’ union guidance on what to do if pilots spot a drone is based around ‘Speed, Inform, Delay, Avoidance and Report’ | The pilots’ union guidance on what to do if pilots spot a drone is based around ‘Speed, Inform, Delay, Avoidance and Report’ |
| Here’s the ‘Speed’ part: | Here’s the ‘Speed’ part: |
| Initially to minimum clean, including during departure | Initially to minimum clean, including during departure |
| On STAR, initial or intermediate approach, request a further reduction to 180kt | On STAR, initial or intermediate approach, request a further reduction to 180kt |
| On final approach observe ATC speed constraints to maintain separation | On final approach observe ATC speed constraints to maintain separation |
| The pilots’ union says it understands that detection and tracking equipment have now been installed around the perimeter of Gatwick, adding that the “rogue drone” may be expected to fly again. | The pilots’ union says it understands that detection and tracking equipment have now been installed around the perimeter of Gatwick, adding that the “rogue drone” may be expected to fly again. |
| The expectation is that if and when the drones reappear, they will be detected and the airport will close again, according to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA). | The expectation is that if and when the drones reappear, they will be detected and the airport will close again, according to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA). |
| Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: | Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: |
| It is up to the relevant authorities to decide whether it is safe to re-open Gatwick given that the rogue drone is still around and may be expected to fly again. | It is up to the relevant authorities to decide whether it is safe to re-open Gatwick given that the rogue drone is still around and may be expected to fly again. |
| BALPA is not aware that any special advice has been given to pilots operating into or out of Gatwick and so we have this morning ensured that all our UK pilots have BALPA’s advice on what to do if they see a drone while flying. | BALPA is not aware that any special advice has been given to pilots operating into or out of Gatwick and so we have this morning ensured that all our UK pilots have BALPA’s advice on what to do if they see a drone while flying. |
| BALPA remains extremely concerned at the risk of a drone collision. It is possible that the rogue drones may go undetected around the perimeter or could obstruct the flight paths outside the immediate detection zone. | BALPA remains extremely concerned at the risk of a drone collision. It is possible that the rogue drones may go undetected around the perimeter or could obstruct the flight paths outside the immediate detection zone. |
| Given this continuing threat we have this morning issued our advice to pilots about steps to be taken if a drone is sighted. | Given this continuing threat we have this morning issued our advice to pilots about steps to be taken if a drone is sighted. |
| If you’ve been affected by the events at Gatwick and would like to share eyewitness accounts or news tips, anonymously if you prefer, with our journalists then please do so via the form here. | If you’ve been affected by the events at Gatwick and would like to share eyewitness accounts or news tips, anonymously if you prefer, with our journalists then please do so via the form here. |
| The form is encrypted and your responses are only seen by the Guardian. You can also contact the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. | The form is encrypted and your responses are only seen by the Guardian. You can also contact the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. |
| It’s no coincidence that some of the media outlets suggesting that the drone chaos was the work of environmental activists have a history of climate science denial and anti-environmentalism, according to this piece in DeSmog, an investigative media outlet focusing on climate and environmental issues | It’s no coincidence that some of the media outlets suggesting that the drone chaos was the work of environmental activists have a history of climate science denial and anti-environmentalism, according to this piece in DeSmog, an investigative media outlet focusing on climate and environmental issues |
| The basis for claims that such activists were responsible is “almost nothing” according to Mat Hope, who criticises coverage based on “speculation from an unamed Whitehall source, speculation from the police, and speculation from alt-right climate science deniers.” He adds: | The basis for claims that such activists were responsible is “almost nothing” according to Mat Hope, who criticises coverage based on “speculation from an unamed Whitehall source, speculation from the police, and speculation from alt-right climate science deniers.” He adds: |
| We simply don’t know who is responsible for the Gatwick disruption. It could be a “lone wolf” who maybe identifies as an “environmentalist”. But we don’t know that. | We simply don’t know who is responsible for the Gatwick disruption. It could be a “lone wolf” who maybe identifies as an “environmentalist”. But we don’t know that. |
| And journalists are meant to report facts, not speculation. | And journalists are meant to report facts, not speculation. |
| This is at best bad journalism, and at worst something a lot more sinister. | This is at best bad journalism, and at worst something a lot more sinister. |
| The closure of Gatwick Airport was an “early Christmas present” for those that suffer aircraft noise, according to a campaign group against aviation noise in the area. | The closure of Gatwick Airport was an “early Christmas present” for those that suffer aircraft noise, according to a campaign group against aviation noise in the area. |
| Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) says residents woke to silence from the airport on 20th December, “offering a glimpse of the tranquillity that they use to enjoy before Gatwick introduced concentrated flight paths (2013-14) and increased the number of aircraft movements”. | Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions (CAGNE) says residents woke to silence from the airport on 20th December, “offering a glimpse of the tranquillity that they use to enjoy before Gatwick introduced concentrated flight paths (2013-14) and increased the number of aircraft movements”. |
| It added: | It added: |
| For tens of thousands of residents of Sussex, Surrey and Kent they enjoyed some respite from the aircraft motorways above their homes that usual, in part, blight their lives day and night, and due to an out of date law, are powerless to take legal action to stop the flights from impacting their wellbeing and house value. | For tens of thousands of residents of Sussex, Surrey and Kent they enjoyed some respite from the aircraft motorways above their homes that usual, in part, blight their lives day and night, and due to an out of date law, are powerless to take legal action to stop the flights from impacting their wellbeing and house value. |
| Although CAGNE, an umbrella community group, does not condone the irresponsible behaviour of flying drones near an airport potentially endangering lives, it was an early Christmas present for those that suffer aircraft noise. | Although CAGNE, an umbrella community group, does not condone the irresponsible behaviour of flying drones near an airport potentially endangering lives, it was an early Christmas present for those that suffer aircraft noise. |
| The group adds that residents feel powerless to stop plans to increase the number of planes above rural homes of Sussex, Surrey and Kent. | The group adds that residents feel powerless to stop plans to increase the number of planes above rural homes of Sussex, Surrey and Kent. |
| Bolstered patrols are meanwhile taking place around other UK airports to watch out for any similar threats of the type which brought Gatwick to a standstill, the transport secretary also revealed this morning. | Bolstered patrols are meanwhile taking place around other UK airports to watch out for any similar threats of the type which brought Gatwick to a standstill, the transport secretary also revealed this morning. |
| Chris Grayling added: “We’re going to be talking very quickly indeed to other airports about other measures they can also take and we should be looking to take to make sure this can’t happen elsewhere.” | Chris Grayling added: “We’re going to be talking very quickly indeed to other airports about other measures they can also take and we should be looking to take to make sure this can’t happen elsewhere.” |