Flights at Gatwick Airport have again been suspended because of a suspected drone sighting, prompting further passengers to be stranded after planes were grounded for around 36 hours.
The airport said operations were halted on Friday evening after a sighting at around 5.10pm.
The runway had been reopened in the morning after planes were stopped from flying in and out of the airport from 9pm on Wednesday.
On Friday evening, a Gatwick spokeswoman said: “We have currently suspended airfield operations as a precaution due to a suspected drone sighting.”
A Sussex Police spokesman said flights were being grounded after “unconfirmed reports” of a fresh sighting.
Police prepared to blast the drones out of the sky with a shotgun or jam them with a hi-tech radar system as they continued their hunt for the aircraft and their operators.
Military equipment was being used to stop further drone disruption while a range of tactics are in place if any unmanned aircraft are seen inside the perimeter.
One piece of equipment believed to have been deployed at the airport is the Israeli-developed Drone Dome system, which can detect drones using radar.
It can also jam communications between the drone and its operator, enabling authorities to take control of and land the drone.
Police are keeping an open mind over the motive, with theories including an environmental protest, but are not treating it as a terrorist incident.
Mr Barry said there is no evidence of involvement of a foreign power, but described the drone activity as “really high-end criminal behaviour”.
Gatwick is investigating reports of a drone sighting. As a precaution we have suspended airfield operations. More to follow.
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) December 21, 2018
“This is a really significant criminal offence,” he said.
“There are resources here at Gatwick Airport now to mitigate the threat of that and a lot of resources to bring the offender to justice.”
“I’m highly disappointed. He is a very close uncle to me,” he said.
“It’s unacceptable. I feel disheartened. I feel traumatised by this experience. I feel let down. I feel as though I have been thrown to the wolves.”
