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 21, 2018, 11:11 am
#466
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland / Estonia
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 6,525
Well this is a kick in the fork. Should be on EZY8466 tomorrow morning to start a family Xmas ski holiday. Brother in law sensibly booked ex-LHR. Bit late to look for a one way for 4 to GVA for tomorrow but guess that’s what I’ll be doing for the next hour or so...
Having some very uncharitable thoughts towards these drone so and so’s...
Having some very uncharitable thoughts towards these drone so and so’s...
Dec 21, 2018, 11:12 am
#467
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Sat in the lounge, planes not moving on runway, a few police lights zooming around. Not a single thing by way of announcement from ba or from Gatwick. By far the best information is from here, so thanks to all updating the wiki.
wish hadn’t found my trousers now and just stayed home...
wish hadn’t found my trousers now and just stayed home...
Dec 21, 2018, 11:16 am
#471
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,164
On top of my previous, MAN now unable to accept diverts and the nearside continent airfields are filling fast. Looks like a busy and torturous night and day ahead for all involved and affected.
My sincerest condolences to all those affected. This is going to be a game-changer for regulation and enforcement. Especially as we exit EASA and can control of our own regulations group in March.
As for the 2019 i troduction of registration and underatking a very noddy, simple simon online ‘test’, pathetic! Makes a mockery os the SRG in the CAA. (Safety Regulation Group)
My sincerest condolences to all those affected. This is going to be a game-changer for regulation and enforcement. Especially as we exit EASA and can control of our own regulations group in March.
As for the 2019 i troduction of registration and underatking a very noddy, simple simon online ‘test’, pathetic! Makes a mockery os the SRG in the CAA. (Safety Regulation Group)
Dec 21, 2018, 11:16 am
#472
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 339
Wife and I were originally on yesterday's flight to Nuremberg but when they cancelled we rebooked onto today's. Due to the ongoing delays our departure was pushed back from 4:20pm to 6pm after the aircraft got back from Lapland. We had just gotten to the gate when they announced the drone was back and the airfield closed.
We're lucky, have good travel insurance and only a want, not a need, to be somewhere. We'll probably scrap the holiday.
I feel sorry for the poor souls trying to go on a holiday of a lifetime, take kids somewhere special, or in the case of a lady near us at the gate, make it home to see a dying aunt.
We're back in the F lounge awaiting more news.
We're lucky, have good travel insurance and only a want, not a need, to be somewhere. We'll probably scrap the holiday.
I feel sorry for the poor souls trying to go on a holiday of a lifetime, take kids somewhere special, or in the case of a lady near us at the gate, make it home to see a dying aunt.
We're back in the F lounge awaiting more news.
Dec 21, 2018, 11:16 am
#473
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Windsor
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 909
Dec 21, 2018, 11:17 am
#474
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: BA
Posts: 138
Dec 21, 2018, 11:20 am
#476
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
Posts: 1,844
I'm really sorry for all those affected by this, especially those for whom it isn't 'merely' a holiday that is ruined but a life-and-death situation, as @estate described.
This time though, I would really hope that the 'assets' the military and police now have in place are able to more quickly triangulate the operator and deal with the issue.
This time though, I would really hope that the 'assets' the military and police now have in place are able to more quickly triangulate the operator and deal with the issue.