Gatwick Airport LIVE: Travel chaos as planes grounded and passengers stranded on runway
Planes are being diverted from the major UK airport, meanwhile outgoing passengers are stuck on planes.
Chaos has erupted at Gatwick Airport with passengers stranded on grounded planes queueing for the runway.
Planes are being diverted after an aircraft, possibly from British Airways, stalled on the busy runway at the London airport this afternoon.
Pictures and videos posted online show a queue of aircraft stuck on the tarmac as they wait for the problem to be resolved. Meanwhile footage has emerged showing several fire engines racing to the scene.
Gatwick has confirmed the runway has now been cleared, however it remains unclear what the impact of the disruption will be with several flights already diverted.
Travel expert Simon Calder told TalkTV that the chaos arrives on the "the busiest day of the year so far for aviation."
KEY EVENTS
'I was on 7-hour flight 5 minutes from Gatwick before chaos diverted me 199 miles away'
One such traveller, Patrick Wilthsire, shared his ordeal after his seven-hour Emirates flight from Dubai to London was diverted to Brussels just minutes before landing at Gatwick, resulting in a five-hour delay.
When asked about the nightmare flight, Patrick told the Express: "Not great, still sat on the runway in Brussels. The joys of travelling to the UK, there always seems to be one issue or another."
Patrick's Emirates flight was just five minutes from landing at Gatwick when it was suddenly diverted to Brussels, nearly 200 miles away.
Latest statement from the airport
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: "The main runway was closed for 50 minutes today (28 June) due to a departing aircraft having hot brakes.
"Safety is our top priority and London Gatwick’s dedicated airport fire service swiftly attended to support the aircraft. 16 inbound flights were diverted during the closure. The runway is now open and operating as normal.
"23 flights were cancelled and there are a number of delays due to the knock-on impact.
"We are working with our airlines and other airport partners to minimise disruption. Passengers should contact their airlines directly for the latest flight information."
Passengers reporting travel chaos impacting flights across Europe
One enraged passenger has claimed her flight from Valencia has been sat on the tarmac for two hours due to the delays at Gatwick.
Gatwick airport is a bloody joke & we haven\u2019t even left Spain yet!!
\u2014 According2Taz (@according2_taz) June 28, 2024
Because of a \u2018backlog\u2019 of planes, we\u2019ve been sitting in a plane, in Val\u00e8ncia, on the tarmac since 1:30!! Nearly TWO HOURS @easyJet
My back is killing me! It\u2019s like being a bloody battery hen \ud83d\udc13 pic.twitter.com/mWX5cNOehp
Statement from Gatwick Airport
"The main runway was closed for a short time today due to a departing aircraft having hot breaks.
"Safety is our top priority and the dedicated airport fire service swiftly attended to support the aircraft.
"A number of flights were diverted. The runway is now open and operating as normal."
Airport confirms cause of the blocked runway
Gatwick Airport has revealed that the cause of the blockage was an aircraft having "hot brakes".
The airport added that a number of flights have been diverted.
Flights being diverted away from Gatwick to airports - even outside of the UK
Flights are being diverted due to the chaos at Gatwick, with reports emerging that some of them aren't even being taken to UK airports.
@EmiratesSupport Flight diverted from @Gatwick_Airport to Brussels. Couldn\u2019t @EmiratesSupport have diverted us to a Uk airport ? pic.twitter.com/wvRZ3djTYe
\u2014 Patrick (@Patrick75096266) June 28, 2024
Gatwick nightmare ongoing during 'busiest day of year so far for aviation'
Travel expert Simon Calder told TalkTV: "There appears to be a serious problem at Gatwick Airport.
"There appears to be a runway blockage... bear in mind this is the busiest day of the year so far for aviation."
Fire engines appear to be on the scene with reports that hoses have been deployed
One witness claimed that fire fighters were "hosing down the undercarriage brakes [of the aircraft] due to high-speed emergency stop".
#BA2279 @British_Airways #gatwick Take-off aborted. Ground vehicles in attendance. pic.twitter.com/UueMZllh4u
\u2014 James (@JamesHiltonEsq) June 28, 2024
Video shows planes queuing for runway
Passenger Tom Strawbridge said: "Plane stuck on / blocking the runway at Gatwick. Nothing in or out as it stands, been this way for around 20 mins now."
Plane stuck on / blocking the runway at Gatwick. Nothing in or out as it stands, been this way for around 20 mins now \u2026.. pic.twitter.com/vR6lY4B8U8
\u2014 Tom Strawbridge (@strawbs5) June 28, 2024
Welcome to our live blog
We'll be bringing you all the latest updates on the travel chaos at Gatwick Airport.
Flights have been diverted after an aircraft stalled on the runway, meanwhile other passengers say they are waiting on planes to takeoff.
More to follow.
What do we know so far?
A plane has stalled on the runway, causing delays to other departing aircraft.
Flights inbound to Gatwick are being diverted to other airports, believed to be mainly other London locations at this time.
One passenger said he has been waiting 20 minutes for his plane to takeoff. A video shows a queue of planes waiting for the runway.