Thousands of British holidaymakers faced travel chaos this afternoon as Gatwick Airport temporarily suspended all flights due to a British Airways plane stuck on the runway with hot brakes.
The Boeing 777 jet, flight G-VIIT BA2279 bound for Vancouver, was forced to make an emergency stop, blocking other flights from taking off. Passengers onboard captured video footage showing fire engines racing towards the stationary aircraft after the take-off was aborted.
In a statement, Gatwick Airport confirmed the incident, saying, “The plane had been abandoned due to the departing aircraft having hot brakes.” The runway closure, which began at 12:53 pm, lasted until 1:14 pm, causing significant disruptions.
Travel expert Simon Calder reported that at least 12 flights were diverted, including an Emirates A380 flight from Dubai that had to land in Brussels. The total number of affected flights remains unclear, but the incident happened on the busiest aviation day of the year so far.
A spokesperson for the airport added, “Safety is our top priority, and the dedicated airport fire service swiftly attended to support the aircraft. A number of flights were diverted. The runway is now open and operating as normal.
British Airways issued an apology, stating, “Our pilots took the precautionary decision to cancel take-off due to a technical issue. Safety is always our top priority, and we apologize to customers for the inconvenience caused.”
Impact on Travelers
The incident marks yet another challenge for travellers this week. Families flying from Birmingham Airport have already faced long queues for security following the opening of a new £60 million security hall. Travellers at Birmingham Airport have experienced waits of up to several hours to get through the terminal.
Eyewitness Accounts
Passengers at Gatwick described the scene as chaotic. “We were all set to go when suddenly the take-off was aborted. It was quite scary seeing fire engines coming towards us,” said one traveller. “The pilot kept us informed, but it was tense.”
Ongoing Challenges
The aviation industry has been struggling with various issues recently, including security delays and logistical challenges at major airports. The recent incidents underscore the importance of robust safety and operational protocols to manage such emergencies efficiently.
Conclusion
While Gatwick Airport has resumed normal operations, the temporary suspension of flights has caused significant disruptions for thousands of holidaymakers. The incident highlights the critical role of safety measures and emergency response in ensuring the well-being of passengers and the smooth operation of air travel.
