Drone sighting shuts down major airport

Drones can be hugely useful work tools, and a lot of fun for leisure operators.

But they can also be a threat to aviation when operated close to an airport.

Operations at Gatwick Airport were disrupted over the weekend when a suspected drone was seen close to the runways.

A spokesman for the international airport outside London said operations were suspended temporarily for around 30 minutes to ensure no aircraft were affected.

He said 12 inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports during the incident.

Gatwick was previously shut down for over 24 hours after drone sightings in 2018, local media reported.

"Passenger safety is the airport's absolute priority and - following established procedures - operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily while investigations into the sighting of a suspected drone close to the airfield took place," an airport spokesman said.

Image: Nik Gracner, scop.io

How to affordably add Lyon to your European travel agenda

There is good news for anyone in London who fancies a few days of indulgence in France.

Budget airline Wizz Air has announced a new seasonal route from Gatwick Airport to Lyon, a gourmet destination surrounded by vineyards including Beaujolais, Coteaux du Lyonnais and Coteaux du Rhône.

Starting from January 10, Wizz Air will offer seasonal flights four times a week to France’s third-largest city, Travel Mole reports.

During the winter, travellers can enjoy the city’s festival of lights, traditional markets, and nearby ski resorts.

The announcement follows the recent launch of three new routes from Gatwick to Marrakesh and Agadir in Morocco and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Wizz Air now offers over 25 routes from the airport.

Marion Geoffroy, managing director of Wizz Air UK, said: “We are excited to announce the addition of yet another exciting route from Gatwick.

"With the launch of 42 new routes in the UK over the past year alone, we continue to bring better connectivity and affordable fares.”

Thousands of flights cancelled at Gatwick Airport

Are you planning to fly in or out of London's Gatwick Airport this northern summer?

Good luck.

The airport announced this week that it is axing over 4,000 scheduled flights between now and September.

Gatwick will cap the number of flights to 825 per day in July and 850 in August.

About 900 daily flights normally operate during the summer peak.

The aim is a ‘more reliable and better standard of service,’ airport officials say. no doubt with tongue firmly in cheek.

The cuts will allegedly allow airlines to better manage expectations and make for a smoother operation, Travel Mole reports.

The cutbacks will impact as many as 800,000 holidaymakers.

“We have now successfully recruited 400 new colleagues to help us process passengers quickly through security this summer,” Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said.

“We are also working closely with our airlines to avoid disruption to passengers this summer, and while more newly recruited staff will start work in coming weeks, we know it will be a busy summer.

“We are also working closely with our airlines to avoid disruption to passengers this summer.”

All good then.