A number of flights destined for London Gatwick Airport were diverted yesterday after a British Airways aircraft experienced a technical issue during landing, leading to a temporary closure of the runway. Emergency services attended the scene as a precaution, following reports of a potential landing gear problem with the plane. While BA confirmed the aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked normally, the incident caused significant disruption to Gatwick's operations.
Among the affected services was an EasyJet flight travelling from Rome to Gatwick, which had already been delayed before its diversion. The plane was redirected to Stansted Airport but faced further complications upon arrival, becoming stranded there due to an inability to obtain fuel. EasyJet stated that without ground handling staff available for the unscheduled arrival, the aircraft could not be refuelled, leaving passengers on board for more than two hours in the middle of the night before they could disembark.
Passengers on the EasyJet flight were subsequently advised to make their own onward travel arrangements from Stansted, with the airline promising reimbursement for incurred costs. EasyJet apologised for the inconvenience, explaining that it lacked a refuelling agreement with Swissport, the company that had supplied fuel to another British Airways plane at Stansted.
A spokesperson for London Gatwick confirmed the runway closure was brief and attributed to a technical issue with an aircraft. They stated that a small number of flights were diverted, with most later returning to Gatwick, and emphasised that safety and security remain their primary concern. While there were numerous delays to both arrivals and departures at Gatwick yesterday, it was not immediately clear if all were directly connected to the earlier runway closure.
This incident highlights the cascading effects that a single technical fault can have on air travel, particularly at busy hubs like Gatwick. Passengers affected by such disruptions should be aware of their rights regarding compensation and assistance, which are outlined under UK law for flights departing from or arriving into the UK on UK or EU airlines.