Gatwick Airport opens runway for 'limited number' of flights as delays and disruption continue

Thirty-three hours after Britain’s second-biggest airport closed down, China Eastern flight 201 from Shanghai touched down on what is normally the world’s busiest runway.

The first departure, to Rovaniemi in Finland, left a short while later. But on what is the busiest day of the winter for most big UK airports, Gatwick Airport remains far from normal.

“We are currently working with airlines and air traffic controllers to introduce a limited number of flights over the coming hours,” the airport said in a statement.

The key word is “limited”. By midnight on Thursday, easyJet had already cancelled 48 flights to and from Gatwick, which wrecks the travel plans of around 7,500 passengers.

Along with thousands more travellers on British Airways, Norwegian and many other airlines, they go to the back of the queue for flights – joining around 120,000 other passengers who are not yet where they want to be.

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BA’s first scheduled arrival was BA2931 from Edinburgh. The airline warned: “We expect there will be some continued disruption from Thursday’s closure.

“Our airport teams are working to minimise the disruption for our customers at what we know is a very important time of year.”

British Airways passengers booked to travel to or from Gatwick on Friday who do not want to take the risk of spending a frustrating day at the airport are being offered the chance to re-book for later departures.

Norwegian Air, which also has a wide range of long-haul and short-haul departures from Gatwick, said: “Due to our aircraft and crew being out of position the return to our normal flying schedule will take some time and as a result not all flights will operate.

“We are doing everything possible to minimise any further delays and we would like to apologise to customers who have been affected by the closure of Gatwick Airport.”

The search continues for the drone operator. The last report of drone activity, according to Sussex Police, was at 10pm on Thursday night.

The rain and gusty wind on Friday morning may be a factor in the non-appearance, because the weather conditions are poor for drone operation.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Gatwick's chief operating officer said almost 700 departures had been scheduled for Friday.

"I'd just like to apologise to all of those affected over the last 36 hours - 120,000 passengers who were due to fly to their destinations or arrive into Gatwick who have not travelled."

When pressed on why the airport had decided to reopen the runway even though the drone had not been found, Mr Woodroofe said: "We have been working overnight with the police, with a number government agencies and with the military to put in place additional mitigating measures which have enabled me to reopen our airport."

Sussex Police assistant chief constable Steve Barry said the number of drone sightings had been "unprecedented" but police now have "a number of options" around the airport's perimeter to help prevent further disruption.