Flights diverted after Gatwick runway closure

A number of aircraft bound for Gatwick were diverted in the early hours of Wednesday due to the runway having to be shut.

The closure came about due to a technical issue with a British Airways flight from Majorca.

The aircraft reportedly landed at 12.10am and was met with precautionary fire and ground vehicles on the runway.

The runway was reopened at about 1.30am

A total of 14 flights were either diverted to airports including Luton, Stansted, Heathrow, Bristol and Birmingham or had to circle before landing.

A Gatwick spokesperson confirmed the closure was due to a technical issue with an aircraft. 

They said: “Just after midnight on Wednesday 15 July, the runway was closed for a short period due to a technical issue with an aircraft.

"As a result, a small number of flights were diverted, with the majority later returning to London Gatwick.

"As always, safety and security is our number one priority.” 

A BA spokesperson told national media: "Our flight landed safely and customers disembarked normally following reports of a technical fault with the aircraft."