Dec 20, 2018, 5:24 am
Last edit by: Canarsie
Travelling to of from London Gatwick 21 December 2018
All LGW services operated on Friday with 2 exceptions (BA2758/0 to AMS and back; BA2938/9 EDI and back). Many flights were heavily delayed.
List of inbound BA diversions from latest closure is in post 463
Incomplete list of inbound cancellations for Friday 21 December is here in post 298.
Current customer guidelines in this post 344 (you can rebook free of charge to 5 January and reroute via LHR/LCY). Try rebooking via the App if you can, otherwise you need to telephone BA.
Background
Gatwick Airport was closed at 21:03 on Wednesday 19 December following reports of drones flying over the airfield. Sightings have continued throughout Thursday 20 December requiring the airport to remain closed. Gatwick Airport advising all passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Gatwick airport was further closed on Friday 21 December from 17:00 until 18:25 at which time normal operations resumed after suspected drone sightings.
Previous updates
Current list of cancelled and diverted services
Post 96 and Post 132 and Post 184
All LGW services operated on Friday with 2 exceptions (BA2758/0 to AMS and back; BA2938/9 EDI and back). Many flights were heavily delayed.
List of inbound BA diversions from latest closure is in post 463
Incomplete list of inbound cancellations for Friday 21 December is here in post 298.
Current customer guidelines in this post 344 (you can rebook free of charge to 5 January and reroute via LHR/LCY). Try rebooking via the App if you can, otherwise you need to telephone BA.
Background
Gatwick Airport was closed at 21:03 on Wednesday 19 December following reports of drones flying over the airfield. Sightings have continued throughout Thursday 20 December requiring the airport to remain closed. Gatwick Airport advising all passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Gatwick airport was further closed on Friday 21 December from 17:00 until 18:25 at which time normal operations resumed after suspected drone sightings.
Previous updates
Current list of cancelled and diverted services
Post 96 and Post 132 and Post 184
LGW closed due to drone activity
Dec 20, 2018, 9:44 am
#286
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,422
Is there a reason (political/historical?) that this didn't happen say at 08:00 this morning? For instance the combination of daylight and military grade radar would have been handy some hour ago, now the perpetrators can just disappear into the night and there will be no way of tracing them.
Dec 20, 2018, 9:45 am
#287
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Effectively grounded
Programs: BA GGL for a little while longer
Posts: 844
Well, I was under the impression that the Governments first responsibilities are to protect the public & keep major facilities operational, clearly they are failing spectacularly in the latter, drones have been around for ages & the glaring reality that the authorities appear incabable of responding is shocking
Dec 20, 2018, 9:46 am
#288
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: LHR & JER
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 253
Is there a reason (political/historical?) that this didn't happen say at 08:00 this morning? For instance the combination of daylight and military grade radar would have been handy some hour ago, now the perpetrators can just disappear into the night and there will be no way of tracing them.
Dec 20, 2018, 9:57 am
#291
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,796
Dec 20, 2018, 10:06 am
#295
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ARN
Programs: Bit of this, bit of that
Posts: 454
Dec 20, 2018, 10:10 am
#297
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,796
Cancellations on Friday
Yes, it's a work of fiction at the moment all round - almost everything is either "delayed" or "on time", no outbound cancellations. I suspect Flight Management is trying to get this list together at the moment, it can't be an easy job.
Inbound to LGW. cancellations:
BA2625 NCE
BA2613 NAP
BA2154 BGI
BA2168 FLL
BA2036 MCO
BA2166 TPA
BA2158 POS+UVF
BA2204 PUJ
BA2272 JFK
BA2156 PLS+ANU
BA2236 SJO
Yes, it's a work of fiction at the moment all round - almost everything is either "delayed" or "on time", no outbound cancellations. I suspect Flight Management is trying to get this list together at the moment, it can't be an easy job.
Inbound to LGW. cancellations:
BA2625 NCE
BA2613 NAP
BA2154 BGI
BA2168 FLL
BA2036 MCO
BA2166 TPA
BA2158 POS+UVF
BA2204 PUJ
BA2272 JFK
BA2156 PLS+ANU
BA2236 SJO
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Dec 20, 2018 at 10:45 am
Dec 20, 2018, 10:22 am
#299
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Whilst understanding the difficulties I must say I'm quite surprised that after almost 24 hours the authorities haven't been able to come close to securing the area for operation.
A bit less surprised that insurance companies are starting to wheedle their way out of claims by claiming there is no mention of drones in their policy wordings.
And definitely not at all surprised to hear Simon Calder on the radio saying that airlines are again failing to advise customers of their entitlements under EC261.
Hey ho. Must be devastating for passengers wanting to get home or away for Christmas. Apparently the ban on night flights has been lifted if they can get the airport open again which may help some people.
A bit less surprised that insurance companies are starting to wheedle their way out of claims by claiming there is no mention of drones in their policy wordings.
And definitely not at all surprised to hear Simon Calder on the radio saying that airlines are again failing to advise customers of their entitlements under EC261.
Hey ho. Must be devastating for passengers wanting to get home or away for Christmas. Apparently the ban on night flights has been lifted if they can get the airport open again which may help some people.
Dec 20, 2018, 10:28 am
#300
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
I just want to say that this website is absolutely amazing. I am so impressed that someone has taken the time to turn this thread into a wiki with up-to-date details as to what to do, what's being cancelled, etc which is such a useful source to so many people caught up in this mess.
I am thankfully NOT caught up in this however I'm sure there are many who will make use of the valuable info here, and throughout this entire website.
Well done to the FT community!
I am thankfully NOT caught up in this however I'm sure there are many who will make use of the valuable info here, and throughout this entire website.
Well done to the FT community!