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, 8:16 am
#241
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,636
Heathrow own three anti-drone bazookas to shoot them down. They may ultimately end up being used at Gatwick
Dec 20, 2018, 8:17 am
#242
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
Good place to watch the response before refining the plan for a more urban environment.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:18 am
#243
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA, VS
Posts: 328
This does make me wonder whether there is something more sinister happening, like a substantiated threat made against a flight to/from LGW and the drone situation is a convenient manufactured way to effectively shut down the airport.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:28 am
#244
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BA Gold, TK, DL, IHG Diamond, HHonours Gold, Hertz Presidents Club
Posts: 497
It all sounds a bit like Die Hard 2 to me, we need Bruce Willis to solve this.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:28 am
#245
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
I feel sorry for the passengers, it's not only not even in the country, but not even on the same side of the European continent… Surely this is due to an issue with that particular flight/plane? I would've thought they'd be able to find a closer diversionary airport in the UK or elsewhere in NW Europe…
Dec 20, 2018, 8:30 am
#246
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
That's a hell of a diversion I feel sorry for the passengers, it's not only not even in the country, but not even on the same side of the European continent… Surely this is due to an issue with that particular flight/plane? I would've thought they'd be able to find a closer diversionary airport in the UK or elsewhere in NW Europe…
I feel sorry for the passengers, it's not only not even in the country, but not even on the same side of the European continent… Surely this is due to an issue with that particular flight/plane? I would've thought they'd be able to find a closer diversionary airport in the UK or elsewhere in NW Europe…
Dec 20, 2018, 8:34 am
#247
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Dec 20, 2018, 8:34 am
#248
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 517
Dec 20, 2018, 8:38 am
#250
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 858
Rebooking options
Hi,
I am/was due to fly on Norwegian Air DI7147 from LGW to BOS today. The original flight was due to depart at 1620, it is has been rescheduled to 19h but I do not think that is happening. I rebooked on the same flight tomorrow (before the cancellation so avoid the flight) but if this situation doesn't get resolved how can I get Norwegian to book me on another carrier?
I talked to Norwegian they insist only to rebook on Norwegian. If this does not get sorted I will need to buy an expensive one way ticket from LHR.
Any suggestions?
I am/was due to fly on Norwegian Air DI7147 from LGW to BOS today. The original flight was due to depart at 1620, it is has been rescheduled to 19h but I do not think that is happening. I rebooked on the same flight tomorrow (before the cancellation so avoid the flight) but if this situation doesn't get resolved how can I get Norwegian to book me on another carrier?
I talked to Norwegian they insist only to rebook on Norwegian. If this does not get sorted I will need to buy an expensive one way ticket from LHR.
Any suggestions?
Dec 20, 2018, 8:41 am
#251
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ARN
Programs: Bit of this, bit of that
Posts: 454
Interesting, seems still seems odd that they chose that location for the stop, would have thought there were more heavily served destinations to allow for easier crew rotation.
Either way, seems they wont be getting into LGW tonight.
Either way, seems they wont be getting into LGW tonight.
Dec 20, 2018, 8:42 am
#253
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Dec 20, 2018, 8:46 am
#255
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 62
I've spoken with Amex insurance today (through Amex platinum card insurance). They will only cover £300 per person for new flights (replacement ones for us would be >£1200). They do cover up to £7,500 for pre-paid bookings that are cancelled (hotels etc), but the £300 is not enough to get a last minute replacement flight to Florida!