Gatwick’s Drone Drama: Flights Hang on a Hangar Line
It was a typical Thursday, cricket was on, the weather was oddly calm, and everyone expected the usual shuffle of passengers moving from plane to check‑in. Suddenly, the quiet was shattered by a whoosh of un‑manned aircraft — two drones, to be exact — hovering over the runway at London’s Gatwick. The result? Flights were put on a temporary hold, coffee orders were postponed, and the airport’s social media rolled out a heartfelt apology.
What Went Wrong?
- Drone intrusion. The first sighting at 21:03 GMT set off a chain reaction.
- Runway closed. Quickly, the control tower sealed the airspace.
- Flight disruptions. Departures stopped; arrivals were diverted to Heathrow or other airports.
- Safety first. Gatwick had to “verify” the runway’s condition before reopening.
Why Drones Are a Growing Concern
The UK witnessed a three‑fold spike in near collisions between drones and commercial jets between 2015 and 2017. Last year alone, 92 close‑call incidents were logged, the UK Airprox Board reports.
Passengers’ Take‑away
One frustrated passenger tweeted: “I’ve got two tiny kids on board and a hotel bed in Gatwick. So, what’s the delay on my next trip?” The airline, British Airways, could do nothing but say: “Sorry folks, we don’t get to fly this absence.”
What Gatwick is Doing
- Airlines are sorting out accommodations for stranded passengers.
- Staff are currently checking in those redirected from other airports.
- They’re monitoring the situation with police and airports partners.
- Will fly back when the runway is verified safe.
Quick Recap
- Drone sighting at 21:03 GMT → Runway shut.
- Flights cancelled/diverted.
- Passengers expressed frustration online.
- Gatwick assures safety, no ETA yet.
In the end, when your flight is grounded because of a photographer’s accident, all you can do is wrap your arms around your kids, check the latest tweet for an update, and tread carefully through the airport’s “future arrivals” waiting room.
