Gatwick warned of “significant delays and cancellations” to all flights today due to ongoing drone activity around the airport.
The chaos this morning followed the runway being shut due to multiple sightings of drones flying over the airport in what has now been described by Gatwick as a deliberate attempt to disrupt flights.
An airport spokesman said 110,000 passengers were due to either take off or land at the airport on 760 flights today.
Inbound services were diverted while others were unable to take off after the first drone sighting at 9.03pm last night.
The runway was re-opened at 3.01am but was forced to shut again less than a hour later after a further sighting of drones nearby.
The second drone sighting meant the runway had to shut for a second time from 3.45am to allow investigations to be carried out.
Flights had to be diverted to Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester airports. Some were forced to land in Amsterdam, Paris and Shannon.
More than 10,000 passengers were initially affected with numbers rising significantly throughout the day due to the knock-on effects as a large drone continued to fly over the airport.
Operations to and from Gatwick remained suspended this morning with passengers advised to check the status of flights with airlines.
The airport said in an update at 10.50am: “Gatwick airport’s runway remains closed and all flights are currently suspended following reports of drones flying over Gatwick’s airfield last night and this morning.
“There is significant disruption at Gatwick today as a result of what appears to be a deliberate attempt to disrupt flights.
“We are extremely disappointed that passengers are being affected by this, especially at such an important time of year. We are prioritising the welfare of those at the airport by deploying staff into our terminals to look after people as best we can.
“We are working hard with our airlines to get information to passengers but would advise anyone booked onto flights from Gatwick, or meeting arriving passengers, not to travel to the airport without checking the status of the flight with their airline or on our website first.
“We apologise for the continued inconvenience, but the safety of all passengers and staff is our first priority.
Gatwick called in police to help probe the incident on the eve of the big Christmas rush.
EasyJet warned of flight disruption this morning due to the overnight closure of Gatwick and advised passengers to check with its website flight tracker before travelling.
British Airways said: “All flights to and from London Gatwick airport are suspended while authorities investigate reports of drones flying close to the airfield.”
Sussex Police said: “Police at Gatwick airport are continuing to assist airport security teams following a number of reports and sightings of drones in the vicinity of the airfield overnight on Wednesday and Thursday.
“The first report was made shortly after 21:00 GMT. Officers were deployed on to the airfield and surrounding areas and were joined by a National Police Air Service helicopter in seeking the drones and the operators.”
Dr Rob Hunter, head of flight safety at pilots’ union Balpa, said: “These drone sightings at Gatwick are further evidence that tougher laws and enforcement are required to keep drones clear of manned flights.
“That’s why we need the registration and education process in force sooner rather than later, so people flouting the law can be caught and prosecuted.
“At the same time, Balpa is also calling for the government to consider toughening the law to create a larger no-fly zone around airports.
“We need to ensure people flying drones take responsibility for their actions and do so responsibly with the knowledge that if they endanger an aircraft they could face jail.”
Aviation minister Baroness Sugg said: “These drones have been flown illegally and the operators, who have acted incredibly irresponsibly, could face up to five years in jail.”
Alex Neill, managing director of home products and services at consumer group Which?, said: “This situation will understandably be frustrating for both the airlines and the tens of thousands of passengers travelling to and from Gatwick ahead of Christmas.
“Whilst these extraordinary circumstances unfortunately mean you are not entitled to compensation, you may still be entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers.
“You don’t have to cancel your tickets though, as depending on the length of the delay, your airline should be providing you with alternative travel options or accommodation.”