Up to 19 incoming flights have been redirected and many have been delayed following a spillage on London’s Gatwick runway.
From Monday at 10.15am, planes were not allowed to take off or land until the run way reopened roughly an hour later.
The runway has been closed temporarily due to a spillage on the runway, but will reopen shortly.
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) February 29, 2016
Update: some flights have been diverted & departing flights may be delayed. For an update on flights please check directly with your airline
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) February 29, 2016
Reports have circulated that the spillage, now cleared, was due to a Virgin Boeing 747 that leaked oil upon landing, according to The Independent.
Passengers waiting at Gatwick expressed their frustrations as Claire Rowlands tweeted:
Sitting on runway for 90 mins waiting for flight to HEL. Finns onboard must be bemused: HEL has 3 runways. https://t.co/5mVyYivf4y
— Claire Rowland (@clurr) February 29, 2016
With over 40 million passengers passing through the airport, Gatwick is the second largest airport in Britain.