Gatwick Airport latest: Travel chaos with flights cancelled and passengers stranded as update released
A spokesperson said the security alert has now been resolved while passengers facing cancellations should contact their airlines
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Gatwick Airport’s south terminal is set to reopen after police called a bomb disposal squad and evacuated passengers to assess a “suspected prohibited item” which was found in luggage.
Passengers were ordered to leave a large part of the south terminal of the UK’s second-busiest airport on Friday morning following the discovery at 8.20am.
The security issue has now been resolved, said an airport spokesperson, who also warned that there were delays and cancellations.
They said: “The earlier security alert has now been resolved and cleared by police. The South Terminal is reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly.”
Travellers flying from the south terminal have been unable to check in and are facing long delays as flights are disrupted.
Some passengers wrapped themselves in emergency foil blankets against the cold as they waited outside the building.
Earlier, Sussex Police said: “As a precaution, an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) team is being deployed to the airport.
“This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the south terminal have been closed.
“We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible.”
‘It’s been absolute chaos’: Airline passengers disrupted by Gatwick alert
Thousands of airline passengers were delayed after Gatwick airport’s south terminal was evacuated because of a security alert.
Travellers were unable to check in for more than four hours due to the incident on Friday.
David Bouchardau, who was due to fly to Paris at around 1.30pm to return home, said: “I live in the countryside so I don’t know how the roads are going to be when I reach France. It’s going to be a long day.”
He said the airport staff were “trying their best”, adding: “There are many, many people. It’s a very difficult situation for everybody. You just have to be patient and wait for news.”
Two people released from police custody as investigation concluded
Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport.
Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator.
Two people who were detained while enquiries were ongoing have been allowed to continue their journeys.
Sussex police said: “There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel.
“Safety of the public, staff and other airport users has been our priority throughout the operation, and we thank them for their patience while the incident was ongoing.”
Rail disruption ended
Disruptio to rail travel to the airport has now ended, Gatwick Express has said.
After hours of cancellations and severe delays, the operator has said that no further trains are being affected by the incident.
No zero-risk flight paths left over Middle East, aviation group warns
A flight operations group has warned that the conflict in the Middle East is presenting serious challenges for pilots navigating the airspace around Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Iran
Passenger aviation has never been safer but “there simply is no ‘risk-zero’ route available” says Ops Group, an international membership organisation for pilots and other aviation staff.
The group has published a blog called Dodging Danger: The Three Routes Through the Middle East.
The writer, Chris Shieff, says: “It no longer seems to be a simple question of ‘is this route safe?’ but instead, of one’s own appetite for known risks.”
The article analyses the three routes that are currently being used by major airlines: south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, central via Turkey and eastern Iraq, or north over the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan.
Read the full story:
No zero-risk flight paths left over Middle East, aviation group warns
Ops Group warns of dangers ranging from Houthi rebel attacks to air traffic control overload
Ryanair, WizzAir and British Airways lead cancellations
Ryanair has cancelled a trifecta of flights to and from Dublin, Cork and Shannon.
Wizz Air is now grounding more flights, with a second Sharm el Sheikh departure as well as flights to Istanbul and Hurghada.
British Airways cancellations are increasing, with a flight to Funchal grounded.
For each departing flight that is cancelled, there will be passengers waiting at an airport abroad to fly back to Gatwick.
Widespread cancellations see up to 5,000 passengers affected
Even though Gatwick South terminal has reopened, widespread cancellations have begun to be made. British Airways has cancelled at least 30 flights to and from the Sussex airport.
European and North African flights from Gatwick have been grounded to Tenerife, Marrakech, Malta, Faro, Porto, Malaga, Alicante, Seville, Jersey (two), Bordeaux, Verona, and Turin.
Long-haul flights to Trinidad and Islamabad are cancelled. All the related inbound flights are also grounded.
An estimated 5,000 passengers have been affected.
Passengers queue to return to south terminal
Thousands of passengers who have sought refuge in North Terminal at Gatwick – as the only place for some distance with warmth and catering – are now queuing for the shuttle to get back to South Terminal.
In addition, there is confusion over the status of Gatwick airport railway station. It is open and trains are stopping, but the message has gone out that it will not reopen until 4.15pm.
Watch: Crowd gathers outside Gatwick Airport after evacuation
In pictures: Passengers and air crew waiting outside Gatwick
Train lines reopen but delays expected
An update from the Gatwick Express have warned that delays are expected until 4.15pm, despite the lines reopening.
A statement read: Lines have reopened following the police dealing with an incident at Gatwick Airport earlier today. Trains may still be delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.
“This is expected to continue until approximately 4.15pm.
“For the latest flight information and updates, please check directly with your airline operator.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments