Emergency Stop Grounds Flights at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport temporarily suspended all flights this afternoon after a British Airways Boeing 777 was forced to make an emergency stop on the runway. The incident occurred as flight G-VIIT BA2279 prepared to depart for Vancouver, resulting in a high-speed emergency stop due to hot brakes. The airplane blocked other flights from taking off, creating travel disruptions for thousands of passengers.

Emergency services, including fire engines, swiftly responded to the stationary aircraft. According to Flightradar24, the runway was closed from 12:53 PM to 1:14 PM. British Airways confirmed that the pilots decided to cancel take-off due to a technical issue, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to safety. A Gatwick spokesperson also stressed the prompt response by their fire service and indicated that the runway is now operational.

The incident led to at least 12 flight diversions, including an Emirates A380 from Dubai that had to land in Brussels. The total number of affected flights remains uncertain on this busy travel day.

Long Queues at Birmingham Airport

Elsewhere, Birmingham Airport faced challenges with significant security delays as passengers endured waits of several hours. The new £60 million security hall has caused congestion, although it promises future benefits like allowing passengers to keep larger liquid and electronic items in their carry-on luggage. Currently, restrictions limit liquid containers to 100ml, causing additional delays as large quantities of excess liquids were removed from hand luggage.

Just Stop Oil Arrests

The Metropolitan Police arrested 27 Just Stop Oil supporters across England, suspecting them of planning disruptions to airports this summer. High-profile members of the group were apprehended in several locations, including London, Essex, and Manchester. The arrests are part of efforts to prevent disruptions to national infrastructure, with suspects facing charges under the Public Order Act. Ch Supt Ian Howells stated that the police are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of airports.

Released individuals are subject to bail conditions, prohibiting them from coming within 1km of any UK airport unless in transit. Violation of these conditions could lead to immediate re-arrest.