Gatwick airport latest: Army called in as drones cause Christmas travel chaos

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The army is being sent in to Gatwick airport after it was completely shut down for the best part of 24 hours by drones being "deliberately" flown near its airspace.

Some 110,000 people had been due to travel through the hub on what is one of the busiest days of the year as people jet off to reunite with loved ones for the Christmas break.

However, no planes have been able to enter or leave since around 9pm yesterday, when the first drone was detected.

A major police operation to find those piloting the remote-controlled airborne devices has so far been unsuccessful.

The motivation behind those flying the mini-craft is unknown, with police initially saying they did not think it was terror-related, but did suspect it to be deliberate. Sharpshooters have been spotted near the runway.

It is also not known whether the army will be deployed to assist stranded passengers and staff, or to help bring down the drones.

Options for hunting them would range from tracking signals and radio frequencies, deploying military drones or using the special forces. However, there are no current plans to deploy special forces at the moment, according to defence sources.

Defence minister Gavin Williamson said: "I can confirm that Sussex police have requested support over the drone incident in Gatwick and we will be providing that support.

"I cannot go into the details of what we will be doing, but the UK’s armed forces have a range of unique capabilities which will be deployed to deal with this situation."

It is not known when the airport will be able to re-open.

Passengers caught in the chaos vented anger and frustration at the disruption to their travels.

Lyndsey Clarke, from Southend, said she was stuck on a plane for more than four hours after it was re-routed to Stansted.

The 27-year-old said passengers were having to get taxis back to Gatwick after they were finally allowed off the aircraft.

Luke McComiskie's plane ended up in Manchester, and he described chaotic scenes as people tried to find their way home after more than three hours stuck on board.

The 20-year-old, from Aldershot, said: "We got told there would be some arrangements with coaches for us when we get out the terminal ... It was just chaos and they had only two coaches and taxis charging people £600 to get to Gatwick."

Officials from the Department for Transport, Home Office, the police and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat have been meeting in the Cabinet Office to discuss the ongoing issue.

The prime minister warned whoever is responsible faces years in jail if they are caught.

Theresa May said: "I feel for all those passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by this drone activity and the action that's had to be taken in response to it.

"Obviously at this particular time of year this is particularly difficult for people.

"The activity that we've seen is illegal and those who are caught endangering aircraft can face up to five years in prison."

Press Association contributed to this report