Dec 20 CX343 HKG-LGW diverted to LHR due to drones sighted near LGW runway
Dec 20, 2018, 12:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
Dec 20 CX343 HKG-LGW diverted to LHR due to drones sighted near LGW runway
Today's London Gatwick flight was diverted to London Heathrow as LGW was closed for several hours due to drones being spotted near the runway.
Does anyone know if the passengers were allowed to disembark and leave from LHR or will they have to wait until the plane can go to LGW? I hope they don't make them go by coach to LGW and then clear immigration etc.
If they do leave the plane at LHR is there any chance they would bus the passengers for today's return flight to LHR instead? Sounds like a cheaper option than moving the plane but I know logistics and logic aren't always the same.
Does anyone know if the passengers were allowed to disembark and leave from LHR or will they have to wait until the plane can go to LGW? I hope they don't make them go by coach to LGW and then clear immigration etc.
If they do leave the plane at LHR is there any chance they would bus the passengers for today's return flight to LHR instead? Sounds like a cheaper option than moving the plane but I know logistics and logic aren't always the same.
Dec 20, 2018, 2:26 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 121
Common sense should prevail here. Agree with you and ideally the crew and passengers are released in LHR and a coach organised to take anyone who wants to go to LGW. Meanwhile crew and passengers from LGW are taken to LHR and board the flight from there.
BBC are reporting that Eurocontrol expect to reopen the Gatwick runway at 11am local time. Let’s see what CX and Heathrow Airport can come up with...
BBC are reporting that Eurocontrol expect to reopen the Gatwick runway at 11am local time. Let’s see what CX and Heathrow Airport can come up with...
Dec 20, 2018, 6:01 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 121
A friend is due to fly on CX354 LGW - HKG today but I doubt that will be happening now. She has a connection in HKG to SYD but that's out of the question now as well. She's at the airport, check in and airside but I can't seem them repositioning the aircraft anytime soon. I've told her to prepare for an EU261 claim...!
Dec 20, 2018, 6:56 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London | Sydney
Programs: LH HON, QF CL, SQ TPPS, AF Plat, VS Gold, VA Plat, EK Gold, HH Diamond, WoH Globalist, Marriott Plat
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I bumped into a friend in the CX lounge at LHR who went to catch the return flight from LGW and they rebooked him to HKG from LHR today.
Dec 20, 2018, 7:01 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
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Dec 20, 2018, 7:26 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
Looks like the airport won't reopen until 4pm. The CX flights aren't even showing up on Gatwick's arrival/departure boards (unless I missed it!)
Cathay's website shows the diversion to LHR for CX343, but the departing CX354 is still showing with an estimated departure of 11.20am today!
Cathay's website shows the diversion to LHR for CX343, but the departing CX354 is still showing with an estimated departure of 11.20am today!
Dec 20, 2018, 7:51 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 254
Looks like they rebook everyone on one of the LHR flights and will ferry back the aircraft without pax. On CX website regarding CX354 status there is a passenger advisory saying "Due to operational constraints, this flight will not be carrying passengers"
Dec 20, 2018, 7:52 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 108
Looks like the airport won't reopen until 4pm. The CX flights aren't even showing up on Gatwick's arrival/departure boards (unless I missed it!)
Cathay's website shows the diversion to LHR for CX343, but the departing CX354 is still showing with an estimated departure of 11.20am today!
Cathay's website shows the diversion to LHR for CX343, but the departing CX354 is still showing with an estimated departure of 11.20am today!
Dec 20, 2018, 9:51 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
It's a sad reflection on the state of CX's business that they have room for a plane full of extra people at no notice in the prime week for moving between London and Hong Kong.
I have a few CX shares, but I wish I didn't - the business is obviously f**ked.
I have a few CX shares, but I wish I didn't - the business is obviously f**ked.
Dec 20, 2018, 10:39 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 324
Carrier change and class downgrade due to LGW drone problem
A friend has had a day of it (as many other have) with today's drone issues at LGW. I'm trying to help her get some plans in place for a downgrade compensation claim and wonder if anyone has any advise. Basic info:
Initially flying LGW - SYD via HKG (CX0354/CX0139) in E (PE)
Moved to LHR-SYD via SIN (QF02) in Y
That's a downgrade from E to Y. Would this be something CX will contact her about automatically (within 7 days) for a refund of 75% of the base fare or should she make plans to pro-actively contact them?
Thanks in advance!
W
Initially flying LGW - SYD via HKG (CX0354/CX0139) in E (PE)
Moved to LHR-SYD via SIN (QF02) in Y
That's a downgrade from E to Y. Would this be something CX will contact her about automatically (within 7 days) for a refund of 75% of the base fare or should she make plans to pro-actively contact them?
Thanks in advance!
W
Dec 20, 2018, 12:22 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: Executive Club
Posts: 85
A friend has had a day of it (as many other have) with today's drone issues at LGW. I'm trying to help her get some plans in place for a downgrade compensation claim and wonder if anyone has any advise. Basic info:
Initially flying LGW - SYD via HKG (CX0354/CX0139) in E (PE)
Moved to LHR-SYD via SIN (QF02) in Y
That's a downgrade from E to Y. Would this be something CX will contact her about automatically (within 7 days) for a refund of 75% of the base fare or should she make plans to pro-actively contact them?
Thanks in advance!
W
Initially flying LGW - SYD via HKG (CX0354/CX0139) in E (PE)
Moved to LHR-SYD via SIN (QF02) in Y
That's a downgrade from E to Y. Would this be something CX will contact her about automatically (within 7 days) for a refund of 75% of the base fare or should she make plans to pro-actively contact them?
Thanks in advance!
W
Dec 20, 2018, 12:45 pm
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
Your friend is entitled to a contractual refund of the fare difference, not the 75% of base segment fare under EC 261/2004.
She absolutely could have insisted on being rebooked onto the first service with PE availability. While I would have done the same unless it was a few hours of delay, rebooking in IRROPS does not strike me as a downgrade unless the operating carrier outright refused to let her wait.
She absolutely could have insisted on being rebooked onto the first service with PE availability. While I would have done the same unless it was a few hours of delay, rebooking in IRROPS does not strike me as a downgrade unless the operating carrier outright refused to let her wait.