As if the holiday travel isn’t chaotic enough, passengers planning to travel in or out of London Gatwick got a rude surprise this week. Two drones were flying near the major airport around 9 pm local time on Wednesday night, according to a report by NPR, causing airport officials to close down operations. Around 3 am, the airport opened back up only to shut down again following additional drone sightings. Gatwick’s COO Chris Woodroofe told BBC News that a drone was seen multiple times and law enforcement was searching for the drone operator. The latest airport update announced that there will be no operations until at least 7 pm local time.
Drone Threat Shuts Down London Airport
Key Takeaways:
- London Gatwick Airport experienced major operational shutdowns and flight diversions due to multiple drone sightings, severely impacting tens of thousands of holiday travelers.
- The incident, deemed a nuisance rather than terrorism, is under investigation by law enforcement, with strict U.K. laws prohibiting drones near airports carrying potential fines and prison sentences.
- This event follows a recent suspected drone collision with an Aeromexico flight in Mexico, underscoring growing concerns about drone safety and their potential to disrupt aviation.
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