Several flights diverted after plane blocks Gatwick runway
An Easyjet flight had to land at Stanstead Airport instead, but then became stuck there when it couldn't find fuel.
Multiple flights were rerouted from Gatwick Airport after a plane obstructed one of its runways. Emergency services were on standby for the British Airways aircraft upon its arrival due to reports of a "technical fault" with the plane.
One of the flights that was diverted, an already delayed EasyJet service from Rome to Gatwick, had to land at Stansted Airport instead and subsequently became stranded there due to a lack of fuel. Passengers remained on board that flight for over two hours in the early hours before they were allowed to disembark.
The British Airways plane that blocked the runway at Gatwick reportedly faced a landing gear problem. BA confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that passengers disembarked without issues. A spokesperson for London Gatwick stated, "Earlier this morning, 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."
There were several delays for arrivals and departures at Gatwick Airport on Wednesday, although it was unclear if these were related to the earlier runway blockage.
EasyJet expressed regret "for the inconvenience caused by the diversion and delay in disembarking" its flight that was redirected to Stansted. "While we worked to make onward arrangements for customers, as no ground handling staff were available for the unscheduled arrival, the aircraft was unable to refuel and so customers disembarked in Stansted and were advised they would be reimbursed for their onward travel," the airline stated.
Passengers were informed that EasyJet was having difficulty obtaining fuel for the plane at Stansted. The airline does not have an agreement with Swissport, which had supplied fuel to another British Airways aircraft. Those on the plane at Stansted had to arrange their own onward travel and later claim back their expenses.
In situations where flight disruptions are deemed the airline's responsibility, passengers have certain rights under UK law. These rights apply if you are departing from a UK airport on any airline, arriving at a UK airport on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an EU airport on a UK airline.
Your entitlements depend on the reason for the cancellation and the notice period provided. If your flight is canceled with less than two weeks' notice, you may be eligible for compensation based on the timing of the alternative flight offered. The compensation amount also varies based on the distance traveled: for flights under 1,500 km, such as Glasgow to Amsterdam, you can claim up to £220 per person; for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km, such as East Midlands to Marrakesh, you can claim up to £350 per person; and for flights over 3,500 km, such as London to New York, you can claim up to £520 per person.