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Gatwick Airport drones: Flights suspended again Gatwick drones: Airport reopens after latest suspension
(35 minutes later)
Flights at Gatwick have been suspended again due to a new "suspected drone sighting". A further drone sighting has again disrupted the UK's second biggest airport, with flights grounded and passengers unable to fly.
A spokeswoman for the UK's second biggest airport said: "We are just hearing a report of another drone sighting that we are investigating. Aircraft were left circling above the area during the latest alert, which came at about 17:10 GMT. Flights resumed less than 90 minutes later.
"As we look into it we have taken the precaution of suspending flights." A spokesman for the airport said the suspension was only as a precaution.
Aircraft have been circling above the area as they are currently unable to land. The sighting reportedly occurred at about 17:10 GMT. He said military measures had been put in place that meant it was safe to reopen.
The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed the sighting but Sussex Police said its officers were investigating. Gatwick had reopened earlier on Friday, after drones flying over the airfield closed it for more than a day.
Gatwick had reopened earlier for a few hours after drones flying over the airfield closed it for more than a day.
The airport was initially closed on Wednesday at about 21:30, following the first drone sighting.The airport was initially closed on Wednesday at about 21:30, following the first drone sighting.
Police believe more than one unmanned aircraft is responsible and are investigating the possibility of multiple culprits. Police believe more than one unmanned aircraft has been used and are investigating the possibility of multiple culprits.
Earlier, officers said they had identified "persons of interest".Earlier, officers said they had identified "persons of interest".
In a statement, Sussex Police confirmed operations had again been suspended for safety reasons. In a statement, police confirmed operations were suspended for safety reasons.
The force said: "Sussex Police is supporting the airport and is proactively deploying significant resources to seek and locate the drone and its operator and to ensure the safety of the travelling public and all those in and around the airport."The force said: "Sussex Police is supporting the airport and is proactively deploying significant resources to seek and locate the drone and its operator and to ensure the safety of the travelling public and all those in and around the airport."
'Very disruptive''Very disruptive'
Passengers have hit out at the people behind the disruption.Passengers have hit out at the people behind the disruption.
One woman, called Poppy Smithers, hoping to fly to Doha and then Auckland, said it was "very disruptive, kind of selfish".One woman, called Poppy Smithers, hoping to fly to Doha and then Auckland, said it was "very disruptive, kind of selfish".
Newlywed Emily had just arrived at the airport to go on honeymoon in Argentina. She and her husband had expected to fly out at 21:30.Newlywed Emily had just arrived at the airport to go on honeymoon in Argentina. She and her husband had expected to fly out at 21:30.
"It's a little bit heartbreaking really because we've been looking forward to this for a long time," she told BBC Radio 5 live. "It's a little bit heartbreaking, really, because we've been looking forward to this for a long time," she told BBC Radio 5 live.
She said all check-ins had been suspended until further notice, apart from those in the next 90 minutes.
"It doesn't sound too promising right now," she said."It doesn't sound too promising right now," she said.
Gatwick said there had been no take-offs or landings since the latest sighting suspended flights. Eleven flights have been diverted so far. Nikkita Sartori-Sigrist, 24, and Oliver Vaff, 22, from Loughton, Essex, were stranded on the runway on a grounded BA flight to Cologne.
They were due to take off when the captain announced there had been another sighting, they said.
The pair were heading to Cologne to visit the Christmas Market and then fly back on Christmas Eve.
"We've been planning it for a really long time and don't want to miss it but now I'm worried if we go we might not come back," Ms Sartori-Sigrist said.
During disruption on Thursday, 760 flights had been due to arrive or depart from the airport but all were grounded.During disruption on Thursday, 760 flights had been due to arrive or depart from the airport but all were grounded.
On Friday, 155 flights were cancelled while the airport returned to normal. On Friday, 155 flights were cancelled.
Gatwick's chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said on Friday morning, that 120,000 passengers due to arrive or fly had not travelled since Wednesday night.Gatwick's chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe said on Friday morning, that 120,000 passengers due to arrive or fly had not travelled since Wednesday night.
Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the suspension of flights at Gatwick Airport? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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