A security incident at the south terminal of Gatwick Airport caused a severe disruption. A suspected forbidden item discovered in baggage prompted a security incident that resulted in the evacuation of Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal on Friday morning. A security cordon was put in place after Sussex Police stated that police were summoned at 8:20 am. As a precaution, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was sent, which caused significant disruption at the second busiest airport in the UK.
Impact of Evacuation on Passengers
Those already inside the terminal experienced delays and passengers were told to evacuate immediately. “The safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority,” a Gatwick representative said. We’re trying to find a speedy solution to the problem. On Friday, flights were planned for almost 100,000 people, but many of them were cancelled or suffered significant delays. Airport workers provided drinks, blankets, and emergency foil to passengers who were stuck outside the terminal.
Only passengers who had previously completed security were able to board flights that were still leaving from the South Terminal. Airline delays of more than an hour were experienced by other airlines, including British Airways and Dueling. Some planes were stopped, while Dueling turned back incoming flights from Barcelona and Seville. For impacted travelers, British Airways provided lodging and rebooking.
Gatwick Airport: Road and Train Closures
Travel was made much more difficult by the suspension of train services to and from Gatwick Airport Station, which is linked to the South Terminal. With delays expected to last until 2:00 pm, National Rail Enquiries recommended that customers avoid going to the station. Additionally, the roads around the port were blocked.
Passenger Accounts First-Hand
After arriving from Istanbul, Emma from Portslade expressed her annoyance at being unable to exit her aircraft because the terminal was closed. She was finally let go after over an hour, but she had trouble finding a ride home. A nurse going to Jamaica named Neasden Braham expressed her annoyance by stating, “I couldn’t get into the airport.” Appropriate updates were absent. I’m very irritated.
While some travelers expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of information, others complimented the airport’s evacuation management on social media, emphasizing the supply of water and other supplies. Serena Danna tweeted that she and other people were “locked in the plane,” but she didn’t provide many details.
Police and Airport Statements
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution,” Gatwick authorities said, assuring the public that safety was their first concern. While this is going on, passengers won’t be allowed to access the terminal. “This is causing significant disruption,” Sussex Police said. The public is advised to stay away from the area.
Six hours after the evacuation, the South Terminal reopened, but there were still delays. According to aviation analytics company Cerium, 318 arrivals and 316 departures were still scheduled for the day, although with some modifications. Air India and Bamboo Airways, two long-haul airlines, also had issues.
Bomb disposal teams exploded a suspected package at the US Embassy in London just before the incident, while there is no proof that the two incidents were related. Flights continued to operate as planned from Gatwick’s North Terminal.
Even with the challenges, a lot of travelers gave a shutout to the airport staff for being super-efficient and understanding during the evacuation. Gatwick is still looking into the issue to make sure the following customers are safe.