A significant technical issue on Friday afternoon led to a Gatwick runway closure, grounding all flights for nearly an hour. Operations at the busy London airport came to a standstill, leaving numerous passengers facing considerable travel chaos.
The problem arose when a Norse Atlantic Airways Boeing 787 aircraft became stuck on the runway. The jet had reportedly rejected its take-off for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport after reaching approximately 138mph. Preliminary information suggests a nose gear malfunction, with reports of the nose wheels turning 90 degrees.
Emergency response vehicles quickly arrived to assess the situation. Crews worked swiftly to remove the disabled aircraft. Thankfully, no injuries were reported during the incident. The runway remained closed for 50 minutes, eventually reopening around 2:40 PM after the aircraft was towed away.
However, this Gatwick runway closure caused immediate widespread disruption. Several incoming EasyJet flights were forced to divert to alternative airports. These included London Luton and London Stansted. Moreover, outgoing flights experienced delays lasting several hours. Airport officials anticipate schedules will remain affected throughout the afternoon.
A spokesperson for London Gatwick confirmed the runway’s temporary closure due to a technical issue with a departing plane. They stressed that safety and security are always the paramount concern. The airport has advised passengers to continue travelling for their scheduled flight times. Both London Gatwick and Norse Atlantic Airways have been contacted for additional comments.
