BREAKING: Flights diverted after Gatwick suspends operations

Flights to and from Gatwick Airport were disrupted this afternoon after operations at the London hub were temporarily suspended.

The move – which occurred at 1.44pm – was in response to a sighting of a suspected drone close to the airfield.

According to an airport spokesperson, 12 inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports while the sighting was investigated.

Airline Flight No. Origin Diversion Airport
Turkish Airlines TK1963 Istanbul Stansted
Easyjet U28792 Gibraltar Luton
Easyjet U28350 Bologna Luton
British Airways BA2879 Palma de Mallorca Stansted
British Airways BA2871 Ibiza Heathrow
TUI Airways BY5727 Kavala Stansted
Vueling VY6224 Rome Stansted
Easyjet U28246 Thessaloniki Luton
Easyjet U28012 Valencia Bristol
British Airways BA2847 Faro Stansted
Easyjet U28326 Rome Luton
Easyjet U29001 Venice Luton
Easyjet U28756 Sofia Southend

“Passenger safety is the airport’s absolute priority and – following established procedures - operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily at 1344,” the statement said. “These investigations have now completed and the airfield reopened at 1435.”

According to Flightradar24, most of the impacted flights diverted to London/Luton, while the remaining aircraft landed at Stansted. However, two easyJet flights ended up in Bristol and Southend.

Operations at Gatwick were suspended for 51 minutes.
Operations at Gatwick were suspended for 51 minutes. Gatwick Airport

The Gatwick Airport spokesperson confirmed that they expect many of the affected aircraft to return to the London hub today.