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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)
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)
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 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.
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.” 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, 30, 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.
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.
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:
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.’
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.”
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/CpDnVSdEmHA 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 departureInitially to minimum clean, including during departure
On STAR, initial or intermediate approach, request a further reduction to 180ktOn STAR, initial or intermediate approach, request a further reduction to 180kt
On final approach observe ATC speed constraints to maintain separationOn 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 issuesIt’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.”
A colleague at Gatwick Airport who is waiting to catch a flight to the continent has been in touch. Annie Kelly says:
It is absolutely rammed, every seat full but generally very calm. Lots of conspiracy theories swirling among passengers but flights are going regularly, albeit many with two or three hours delay and nobody seems angry.
There’s even a Santa ringing a sleigh bell walking around the packed departure area.
Gatwick’s runway has reopened and a limited number of planes have arrived and departed, after the airport was shut for almost 36 hours by drone sightings overhead.
The airport said “additional mitigating measures” put in place by the police and military were allowing planes to fly again, although at least 100 of the 753 scheduled flights on Friday were set to be cancelled, with planes and crews out of place, and many have already been delayed.
More than 126,000 passengers were due to fly out today, after 110,000 were booked on cancelled flights yesterday. A first arrival from China landed at aroundabout 6am and the first departure, a Norwegian Airlines flight to Lapland, took off soon after.
The operator of the drone or drones has yet to be discovered, but no further sightings have been recorded since late yesterday, the airport said.
Sussex police said they were pursuing several lines of inquiry and an environmental protest was “a possibility”, but the force was not linking the drone to terrorism. The airport’s runway was first closed after sightings at about 9pm on Wednesday.
The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, who yesterday claimed that “substantial drones” had caused the chaos, today admitted that it was uncertain if there was more than one.
He denied he had ignored warnings, and said he was planning to hold talks with airports soon to discuss the lessons of Gatwick and try to prevent similar disruption.
Pilots’ unions, opposition politicians and other aviation bodies yesterday have called for tougher measures and immediate action, including wider exclusion zones around airports.
Grayling told the BBC’s Today programme that it was “a new kind of attack” and that the perpetrator would face a substantial jail sentence. He said it was “unlikely to be” the action of a foreign state, but wasn’t was not ruling anything out.
Airports are facing a “new kind of threat” Chris Grayling has said, adding that he was not ruling out any possibility in terms of who was responsible for the chaos.
“It could be an environmental protest but we genuinely don’t known” he said on the Today Programme.
It was “unlikely” that the drone was the work of a foreign state but “we genuinely don’t know.”
Whoever was responsible should face the full rigour of the law, added the Transport Secretary, who said: “They need to go to jail for a long time.”
Grayling was pressed on how and why it took so long for measures to be put in place to enable the airport to open again and insisted that he and others had been working on a solution since the problem first became apparent.
There are anti-drone technologies that are now available but there is not a single “off the shelf” solution, he said.
Grayling said that you “can’t just shoot down a drone” and gave the example of somewhere else in the world where he said that hundreds of bullets had been fired from a machine gun and yet a drone had not been brought down.
Discussions with other airports around the UK are going to be convened as quickly as possible, the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling has said.
“This kind of incident is unprecedented anywhere in the world, the disruption of an airport in this way,” he has told BBC Breakfast.
“We’re going to have to learn very quickly from what’s happened. I plan to convene discussion with other airports around the UK very quickly indeed so that they know what’s happened, they understand what lessons need to be learned, and we’ve put in place every measure we possibly can to ensure this can’t happen again.”
Grayling said there had been around 40 sightings of what were thought to be a “small number of drones” while the airport was closed.
“It certainly wasn’t a lot, it was the same small number of drones seen many times,” he said
Asked if it was terror-related, he said: “It’s a different kind of disruption. Certainly there’s no evidence it’s terror-related in the conventional sense, not linked - as far as we’re aware - to an international terrorist group.”
“But it’s clearly a kind of disruptive activity that we’ve not seen before.”
The number of drone sightings at Gatwick Airport since Wednesday has been “unprecedented” but police now have “a number of options” around its perimeter to help prevent further disruption, according to Sussex Police assistant chief constable Steve Barry.
Here’s what the airspace around London looks like this morning, meanwhile:
Airspace around London today.. picking up around Gatwick but some way to go pic.twitter.com/5BQSZx3cnv
Christ Woodroofe, Gatwick’s Chief operating officer, had this advice this morning to passengers:
Our advice to our passengers is to check with their airline on each of those flights that they’re intending to get, to establish whether it’s one of the flights that’s being operated or one of the flights that’s being cancelled, before they come to the airport.
I’d just like to apologise to all of those affected over the last 36 hours - 120,000 passengers who were due to fly to their destinations or arrive into Gatwick who have not travelled.
We’re expecting to hear from the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, within the next half an hour.
Gatwick has been reopened due to “additional mitigating measures” that have been put in place in collaboration with government agencies and the military, Gatwick’s Chief Operating Officer has said.
Chris Woodroofe, who was speaking on BBC’s Today Programme in the last half an hour, said that he couldn’t comment on whether that means that the drone will be shot down if it appears again.
“You’ll appreciate that there are certain things I can’t talk about in detail,” he said when pressed
However, he did add that what the last 24 hours have shown is that a lot more work needs to be done at international airports to prepare and counteract such events.
“We need to do work with both technology providers and governments to address this risk,” he said
Gatwick had been working on issues around the threat from drones for more than a year but the reality is that today “there is still no commercial solution that is licensed to operate at airports that is proven,” he said.
“We have called in government agencies and the military to assist us in getting Gatwick open again to counteract this unprecedented event, this criminal act.”
He expected just under seven hundred departures to go through the airport today, a reduction of one hundred flights.
However, he agreed that the continuity of operations depended on whether or not the drone would be spotted again.
Folks, I’m signing off now and handing over to my colleague Ben Quinn.
Thanks for following along over these last, frankly quite exciting, hours. Keep checking in as we see how things go at Gatwick, whether the drone reappears and what news there is of the search for the drone operator(s).
The Gatwick COO says they are expecting to see 700 departures from the airport on Friday and that these planned departures depend on whether there are any more sightings of the drone.
The COO says the drone operator has not been found by police but the airport has put in additional mitigating measures to protect against drones and these measures have given him the confidence to re-start flights.
That beautiful word “DEPARTED” is starting to appear on the deartures board at Gatwick airport again. Feeling for those who are seeing “DELAYED” and “ENQUIRE AIRLINE” for their flights. pic.twitter.com/Kk4NXrPVIe