
Flights at Gatwick Airport were suspended for 50 minutes on Friday afternoon after a departing aircraft experienced a technical issue and became stuck on the runway, forcing diversions to airports including London Stansted and Birmingham.
AI-generated summary
Gatwick Airport experienced a temporary runway closure due to a technical issue with a departing vehicle.
Flights at Gatwick Airport were brought to a standstill for nearly an hour after a plane became stuck on the runway.
A Gatwick spokesperson said the runway was closed on Friday afternoon because of a "technical issue with a departing vehicle".
The airport said the runway remained closed for 50 minutes while the plane was towed away before reopening shortly afterwards. Some flights were diverted to other airports including London Stansted and Birmingham.
A spokesperson said: "As always, safety and security is our number one priority."

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that over 60,000 seats on Thameslink trains will be upgraded with new cushions starting in 2027. The move addresses long-standing complaints about the original 'ironing board' seats installed on the £1.6bn fleet.

Rail operator CrossCountry has cancelled most services across the UK due to a power outage at its Birmingham control centre. The disruption affects major routes nationwide, with passengers facing significant delays and seeking alternative travel arrangements.

The railway line between Lewes and Haywards Heath will reopen on 1 September after a Southern train derailment on 13 August injured 30 people. An RAIB report identified a track defect, potentially linked to high temperatures, as the cause of the incident.

London Overground services on the Windrush line are suspended between Surrey Quays and New Cross/Clapham Junction due to an unsafe structure following a fire at a recycling facility in South Bermondsey that involved 50 tonnes of waste.

A passenger on a British Airways flight from Dusseldorf to Heathrow described a 'violent manoeuvre' and rising fear after the plane issued a distress call. The Airbus A320 experienced a data system failure and stall warnings, leading to an upgraded Mayday call. The incident is under investigation by the AAIB and BEA.

A crash on the M25 near Lakeside Shopping Centre caused an 8-hour delay due to an oil spill and resurfacing needs, exacerbated by hot weather, leaving drivers like Beatrix and Rosie stranded for hours with no amenities.