Gatwick drones: As it happened

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The BBC understands that the government is considering installing military-grade anti-drone equipment at all major UK airports, as well as at other critical infrastructure such as prisons and power stations.

Aviation Minister, Baroness Sugg, is meeting airport bosses this afternoon.

It follows the major disruption at Gatwick before Christmas and the suspension of departures from Heathrow for nearly an hour on Tuesday night following drone sightings at both airports.

Eddie MitchellCopyright: Eddie Mitchell

Flights at Gatwick have resumed after being suspended for a short time after a new drone sighting.

Aircraft were left circling above the area during the latest alert, which came at about 17:10 GMT.

Flights resumed less than 90 minutes later.

Thousands of passengers have had their holiday plans disrupted.

Any developments on this story will be reported on the BBC website, as well as on radio and TV.

For now, though, goodbye and thanks for joining us.

• Gatwick disruption: Your stories
• Is this the drone that caused the chaos?
• How will police catch the drone menace?
• What penalty could a drone operator face?

“They couldn’t have cared tuppence to be honest”

Ruth Kent, 80, from West London was forced to borrow $1,000 from friends to buy a flight home from Florida via Dublin after Gatwick grounded flights.

“I was completely and utterly panic stricken when I found out,” she said.

Ms Kent said that she tried getting in touch with both Norwegian Airlines and her insurers but neither responded.

She said that she even told Norwegian Airlines in an email that she was a woman on her own and in her 80s but: “They couldn’t have cared tuppence to be honest.”

“Luckily I had friends here,” Ms Kent said. “I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have friends because to be honest I was in a complete panic because I wanted to get home before Christmas.”

BBC South of England Correspondent Duncan Kennedy says tonight's events could have a knock on affect with around 12 flights cancelled or diverted as a result of the short suspension.

“It’s already going to take them well into the weekend to rectify all these problems and that may be affected a little bit by this latest emergency which has come to an end," he says.

He has been told delays are expected until at least Saturday and possibly into Sunday.

There's been an angry reaction to events at Gatwick from business leaders.

The London Chamber of Commerce says tougher laws are needed to tackle the misuse of drones.

Quote Message: It was alarming to watch a major strategic infrastructure asset being brought to a standstill. Airports, airlines and business travellers can now reasonably expect the Government to look at what steps they can move on swiftly, to avoid any repetition." from Sean McKee Director of Policy and Public Affairs for London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

It was alarming to watch a major strategic infrastructure asset being brought to a standstill. Airports, airlines and business travellers can now reasonably expect the Government to look at what steps they can move on swiftly, to avoid any repetition."

Paul FowlerCopyright: Paul Fowler

AFPCopyright: AFP

Police say they are still searching for those responsible for the unprecedented disruption at Gatwick Airport.

But the drones that were flown over the airfield have not been captured.

Endangering the safety of an aircraft is a criminal offence that can carry a prison sentence.

So how will police find those responsible?

Read the full story here.