A London Gatwick spokesperson confirmed a technical issue with a departing aircraft, believed to be a Boeing 787, has prompted the closure of the runway and the grounding of all flights at the airport
All flights at London Gatwick Airport were grounded this afternoon after a plane was reportedly “surrounded by 20 emergency vehicles”.
It comes as the airport confirmed that there was a problem with a departing aircraft. According to the Daily Star it is believed to be a Boeing 787.
It meant the airport’s runway was closed and flights suspended. Aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24 showed a plane on the runway that was surrounded by emergency vehicles.
A London Gatwick Airport spokesman said: “Due to a technical issue with a departing aircraft, our runway is currently closed.
“Our teams are working to move the aircraft and resume operations as quickly as possible. As always, safety and security is our number one priority.”
The Express reports that the aircraft appears to be a Norse plane bound for New York. Other flights meanwhile are said to getting diverted to Luton or Stansted.
Travellers are being told to check their flight status if they are travelling in or out of Gatwick.
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