Gatwick airport has reopened its main runway after fog and maintenance works caused 1,500 passengers to be diverted to other airports. A spokesman said the main runway reopened at 5.25am and no major delays are expected today although there could be minor disruption to some flights.
A total of 24 flights were unable to land at Gatwick. Engineers were carrying out planned maintenance work to the main runway overnight, leaving just the second landing strip open. The fog meant flights had to be diverted to Stansted, Luton, Bristol and Heathrow from around 12.10am onwards.
Around 1,500 airline passengers faced disruption overnight after they were diverted away from Gatwick Airport due to fog and maintenance work. A total of 24 flights were forced to touch down at other UK airports due to the combination of poor visibility and runway repairs, a Gatwick spokesman said.
Engineers were carrying out planned maintenance work to the airport's main runway overnight, leaving just the second landing strip open. But the fog meant short and medium-haul flights had to be diverted to Stansted, Luton, Bristol and Heathrow from around 12.10am onwards.
Motorists are being warned of delays in Kent due an multi vehicle accident believed to have been caused by fog.
The A249 Sheppey Crossing Southbound is blocked due to the accident between B2231 Lower Road / Sheppey Way (Leysdown turn off) and Old Ferry Road (Lower Halstow turn off).