«Breaking News» Thousands of passengers stranded across the world by Gatwick drone chaos

British air passengers stranded around the world are facing a race to get home for Christmas as the shockwaves from Gatwick's drone chaos spread around the globe.

The closure of Britain's second busiest airport for more than 30 hours yesterday due to a rogue drone pilot saw scores of flights cancelled and many others diverted to other terminals around Europe.

Worse still, the huge backlog of flights now waiting to fly into Gatwick means many face a nervous wait to see if they'll get home in time for the holidays.

Those trapped in foreign airports spoke of being forced to sleep on floors and visa complications as the knock-on effect hits other terminals.  

British air passengers have been left stranded around the world due to Gatwick's rogue drone

 

Others are now stuck in terminals around Europe after their flights were diverted in mid-air

Holidaymakers who went on pre-Christmas breaks to the Caribbean face long delays in getting back.

Some are now flying to New York, before transferring on flights to Europe and then getting Eurostar trains to London.

Londoner Jennifer, who is stuck in Jamaica, tweeted Gatwick bosses saying: 'I would like to get home for Christmas, but I'm stranded abroad at the moment. Is there any chance you could shoot the drones down?'

Jon Carles emailed MailOnline to say he was stuck in the Canary islands.

'Me and my partner are currently stuck in Lanzarote,' he said. 'Supposed to be to flying back to Gatwick today with easyJet but no one knows what's going on here and what's going to happen.

'Managed to get through to easyJet after 45 minutes on hold and they told us to wait until 6pm and see what happens. And if gets cancelled we can't get a flight back with them for 48hours.' 

Dan Walters, from Wales, posted online: 'Flight from Antigua to Gatwick cancelled this evening. Now having to fly to New York tomorrow and then on to Heathrow.' 

However, he saw the funny side, joking: 'There are worse places to be stranded though..'

This shows where passengers heading for Gatwick have been diverted since 9pm last night

One flyer hoping to reach London had to land in Paris - where he was told that he'd be diverted back to the UK on a bus.  

And Corinne Roberts tweeted that her parents-in-law were stuck in a departure lounge at Brussels as their visa don't allow them to enter the country beyond that point. 

Joseph Ouechen, a photographer from Morocco, was due to fly into Gatwick on Wednesday night but had his flight diverted to Paris.

After arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport at midnight, passengers with visas for the Schengen area were taken to a hotel but those without - 'about 20 per cent' - were left in the airport to fend for themselves, he said.

'There were families with babies who couldn't get to their suitcases for their milk and stuff,' he said.

'We were asking just for a favour if (airport staff) could help but they said they couldn't do anything.'

Firefighters eventually crossed the border through passport control with blankets and water at 3.30am, he said.

Police are pictured at Gatwick's police station roof yesterday as they use equipment in the ongoing task to stop the drone unleashing chaos in Sussex

'To be honest, I'm so tired and when the guys from the fire (service) came with the bottles and blankets I was feeling like a war, like (I was) a refugee, but I'm just flying to the UK.

'It's surreal. I was flying to the UK and now there are firemen bringing me water and blankets.'

Those who didn't find themselves stuck abroad had to land more than 100 miles from their destination once they made their way back to the UK.

Chris Lister, from Somerset, who owns an online business, was travelling back from Kiev with his wife Freya.

He was due to land at Gatwick at 9.45pm yesterday but ended up trapped on the plane on the Tarmac at Birmingham Airport until 6am.

'There were quite a few babies and kids on board, I think they were struggling more than we were and one woman had run out milk,' he said.

After starting his journey in Bangkok on Tuesday he was finally let off the plane at 6am, he said. 

Gareth Jones praised easyJet's response to the chaos, telling MailOnline: 'My son was due to fly home from Salzburg this morning on an Easyjet flight that was obviously cancelled.

'They have transferred him to the same flight tomorrow and put him up in a four-star hotel, with meals, overnight.

'Fortunately, he has no work commitments or time issues so it's not a bad deal at the end of the day. easyJet get some bad press but this is good service on their part.' 

Sally Gardiner, who is in Nice, France, said: 'The problems caused by this malicious person extend way beyond Gatwick. My son was to join me in Nice today for a break before Christmas.

'I don't see him very often so my disappointment is immense. 

'I have also paid in advance for his accommodation. 

'I have French friends who were due to fly from Nice to Gatwick tomorrow for connecting flight to USA to spend Christmas with families there. The knock on effect is massive.' 

Gatwick Airport travel chaos: What are consumers entitled to? 

Tens of thousands of passengers have been suffering travel chaos after drones were flown around Gatwick Airport. Here is a look at what help customers could be entitled to:

- Will those affected be entitled to compensation?

Consumer rights experts say that despite the frustration for those who have suffered disruption, these are 'extraordinary circumstances'.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home products and services, said: 'This situation will understandably be frustrating for both the airlines and the tens of thousands of passengers travelling to and from Gatwick ahead of Christmas.

'Whilst these extraordinary circumstances unfortunately mean you are not entitled to compensation, you may still be entitled to meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation or transfers.

'You don't have to cancel your tickets though, as depending on the length of the delay, your airline should be providing you with alternative travel options or accommodation.'

- What are extraordinary circumstances?

Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights hinges on the reason for the delay and the length of notice passengers are given. Which? says that in cases where the airline can prove the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances, no compensation is payable.

Extraordinary circumstances are situations out of the airline's control, for example, a security risk, political instability or severe weather that makes flying dangerous.

- What support can people get?

Which? says that if someone's flight is delayed for at least two hours, depending on the length of the flight, their airline may give them two free phone calls, faxes or emails; free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay; and free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers if an overnight stay is required.

If a flight was delayed for more than five hours they may be able to choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund - just as if the flight had been cancelled.

- How can insurers help?

Martyn James, spokesman for consumer help website Resolver.co.uk, suggests that as well as speaking to the airline, 'you can also speak to your travel insurer to see if you have any options in your insurance policy'.

Giving general advice, the Association of British Insurers said people should speak to their airline or travel company first.

A spokesman said: 'For additional travel disruption costs, such as missed hotel bookings or already paid for activities that you can no longer make, you should speak to your travel insurer as these may be covered under the terms of your travel insurance, depending on the type of cover you have bought.'

Insurer Axa says if customers need to change the dates of their trip they should make contact to update their policy.

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2018/12/21/thousands-of-passengers-stranded-across-the-world-by-gatwick-drone-chaos/
Main photo article British air passengers stranded around the world are facing a race to get home for Christmas as the shockwaves from Gatwick’s drone chaos spread around the globe.
The closure of Britain’s second busiest airport for more than 30 hours yesterday due to a rogue drone pilot saw scores of...

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