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, 4:43 am
#121
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,109
I think this will, in the longer term, end up like the volcano crisis in 2010. At the time of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull the aviation regulators (and aircraft makers and engine makers) had no idea how to handle volcanic ash on a wide scale, their only plan was to avoid it entirely.
Today, there is no compromise position for drones, only avoiding them entirely. If drones flying near airports becomes more common, there will have to be a more carefully-analysed compromise situation balancing risks like there now is for volcanic ash.
Unfortunately this does nothing to help the people affected now, they're going to suffer all the consequences of a maximum-risk-avoidance scenario.
Today, there is no compromise position for drones, only avoiding them entirely. If drones flying near airports becomes more common, there will have to be a more carefully-analysed compromise situation balancing risks like there now is for volcanic ash.
Unfortunately this does nothing to help the people affected now, they're going to suffer all the consequences of a maximum-risk-avoidance scenario.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:44 am
#122
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 610
SEN runway 05/23 is 1,856 meters long, so it is bit short for many airplane types, especially those used on long haul routes, which are the most likely to be diverted. Also it might be easier to divert to an airport where the airline already has some activity as then it doesn't require too much hassle to arrange ground handling etc.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:50 am
#123
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
Dec 20, 2018, 4:50 am
#124
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,038
I think this will, in the longer term, end up like the volcano crisis in 2010. At the time of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull the aviation regulators (and aircraft makers and engine makers) had no idea how to handle volcanic ash on a wide scale, their only plan was to avoid it entirely.
Today, there is no compromise position for drones, only avoiding them entirely. If drones flying near airports becomes more common, there will have to be a more carefully-analysed compromise situation balancing risks like there now is for volcanic ash.
Unfortunately this does nothing to help the people affected now, they're going to suffer all the consequences of a maximum-risk-avoidance scenario.
Today, there is no compromise position for drones, only avoiding them entirely. If drones flying near airports becomes more common, there will have to be a more carefully-analysed compromise situation balancing risks like there now is for volcanic ash.
Unfortunately this does nothing to help the people affected now, they're going to suffer all the consequences of a maximum-risk-avoidance scenario.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:52 am
#125
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 887
LNER are offering free train travel today to anyone who was due to fly and their flights been cancelled between LGW & EDI/ABZ/INV on production of a flight ticket at Kings Cross.
They will also transport GLA passengers.
They will also transport GLA passengers.
Last edited by McG; Dec 20, 2018 at 4:55 am Reason: Additional info.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:52 am
#126
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,038
Dec 20, 2018, 4:53 am
#127
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,374
Just been questions in the House of Lords regarding this as well.
Feel for all all those whose plans and Christmasses are disrupted.
edited to say airport closed until at least 1600 today.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:56 am
#132
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Windsor
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 909
Looks like BA have started looking at some of the flights with rolling delays, including some of the longhauls, which are now showing as cancelled:
Longhaul
BA2037 MCO
BA2167 TPA
BA2233 BDA
BA2273 JFK
Other
BA2652 SZG
BA2576 TRN
BA2730 TFA
BA2732 ACE
BA2688 GOA
BA2780 FNC
BA2758 AMS
BA2692 FAO
BA2688 MLA
BA2564 ALG
BA2540 FCO
Longhaul
BA2037 MCO
BA2167 TPA
BA2233 BDA
BA2273 JFK
Other
BA2652 SZG
BA2576 TRN
BA2730 TFA
BA2732 ACE
BA2688 GOA
BA2780 FNC
BA2758 AMS
BA2692 FAO
BA2688 MLA
BA2564 ALG
BA2540 FCO
Dec 20, 2018, 4:56 am
#133
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 259
Need some advice. I have a flight leaving Gatwick (LGW - DXB) on Sunday morning with Emirates. If I purchase another ticket (say a one-way ticket) from Heathrow instead (LHR - DXB) will I be able to use the return portion of my Emirates ticket (departing DXB)? Does this matter if I purchase my new one-way ticket from Emirates vs BA. Does this have to be negotiated with Emirates or can I insist they do not cancel me my return portion of my Emirates ticket? Thank you for your advice.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:58 am
#135
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Jersey
Programs: BA Bronze Executive Club Member
Posts: 50
Oh boy, just seen this. Due to fly back from JFK to LHR, then onwards home in time for Xmas on Sunday. Hopefully they can find these idiots by then. Worryingly it sounds coordinated and intentional.
Teminds me of my flight into LGW back in September where I spotted a drone 10 miles out on approach West to East. Reported it to the captain and didn’t hear anything further.
Teminds me of my flight into LGW back in September where I spotted a drone 10 miles out on approach West to East. Reported it to the captain and didn’t hear anything further.