The armed forces have been called in
Gatwick Airport remains closed following the ongoing drone chaos.
The airport's runways have been closed since Wednesday night, as drone devices have been repeatedly flown over the area.
Around 10,000 passengers have been affected by the delays, leaving them stranded as they try to visit loved ones for Christmas.
Now a statement from Gatwick has urged passengers to stay away from the airport "for the foreseeable future including tomorrow".
https://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak/status/1075843319375282176
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has deployed "specialist equipment" to assist Sussex Police.
https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1075799791068692480
"The armed forces have a range of unique capabilities and this isn't something we would usually deploy," said Williamson, "but we are there to assist and do everything we can so that they are in a position to open the airport at the earliest opportunity."
"This is a serious incident, it's causing widespread disruption for passengers," said a spokesman for prime minister Theresa May. "The intention, obviously, is that it should be brought to a close as soon as possible."
The drones were first spotted at around 9pm on Wednesday, and the airport was closed at 9.03pm. It was reopened at 3.01am on Thursday morning but closed again at 3,45am following a further sighting.
https://twitter.com/Gatwick_Airport/status/1075612284930703362
According to Sky News reports, a drone was spotted at 4pm on Thursday and has reappeared at each attempt to reopen the airport.
https://twitter.com/danwnews/status/1075826128764452864
Ryanair has moved its scheduled Gatwick flights for tomorrow to Stanstead airport.
https://twitter.com/Ryanair/status/1075839413127704576
A spokesperson for Easyjet said: "We are making every effort to get people to their destination at this important time of the year, but following reports of drones flying over Gatwick Airport, the runway remains closed and all flights are currently suspended."
A statement from Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said expressed how "sorry we are for the inconvenience this criminal behaviour has caused passengers" and that everyone at the airport "share[d] their real anger and frustration that it has happened".
https://twitter.com/Gatwick_Airport/status/1075813918893846529
