Gatwick authorities on Friday morning <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/army-joins-drone-hunt-after-london-airport-shutdown-185599">partially opened the airport </a>for flight operations as thousands of passengers remained stranded in London during the Christmas holiday season.

Gatwick, situated in west London is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/police-powers-may-be-increased-to-combat-drones-uk-pm-may-185603">Britain's second biggest airport </a>after Heathrow. Flight activity&nbsp;was hit after two drones were spotted on Thursday leading the airport to be shutdown. Flights were halted at 2103 GMT on Wednesday after two drones were spotted near the airfield.

"Gatwick’s runway is currently available and a limited number of aircraft are scheduled for departure and arrival," the airport said.

"Gatwick continues to advise passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport as departures and arrivals will be subject to delays and cancellations," the announcement added.

PM Theresa May on Thursday had called in the British Army to hunt down the person responsibile for the drone incident while indicating that police powers may be increased to combat the "illegal" drone acitivity in the airport.

Flying drones within the 1 km &nbsp;airport boundary is illegal in Britain, punishable by five years in prison. Police officals had said on Thursday that it was a deliberate attempt by someone to fly the drones as it shutdown the airport.

Gatwick's Chief Operating Officer Chris Woodroofe had said that one of the drones was a "heavy industrial drone".

At least 20,000 passengers faced travel disruption as authorities struggled to contain the crisis.

Gatwick authorities on Friday morning partially opened the airport for flight operations as thousands of passengers remained stranded in London during the Christmas holiday season.

Gatwick authorities on Friday morning partially opened the airport for flight operations as thousands of passengers remained stranded in London during the Christmas holiday season. Gatwick, situated in west London is Britain's second biggest airport after Heathrow. Flight activity was hit after two drones were spotted on Thursday leading the airport to be shutdown. Flights were halted at 2103 GMT on Wednesday after two drones were spotted near the airfield. "Gatwick’s runway is currently available and a limited number of aircraft are scheduled for departure and arrival," the airport said. "Gatwick continues to advise passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport as departures and arrivals will be subject to delays and cancellations," the announcement added. PM Theresa May on Thursday had called in the British Army to hunt down the person responsibile for the drone incident while indicating that police powers may be increased to combat the "illegal" drone acitivity in the airport. Flying drones within the 1 km airport boundary is illegal in Britain, punishable by five years in prison. Police officals had said on Thursday that it was a deliberate attempt by someone to fly the drones as it shutdown the airport. Gatwick's Chief Operating Officer Chris Woodroofe had said that one of the drones was a "heavy industrial drone". At least 20,000 passengers faced travel disruption as authorities struggled to contain the crisis.

Video: Gatwick airport in London reopens for limited flights after drone scare

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here.

Johnson said he was "excited" about the growing India-UK bilateral trade and that the visit will help build on "huge economic advantages".

"..Thanks to our shared history, we have a living bridge between us? and now we want to build on the incredible tech sector where both India and the UK are making giant strides together," Johnson said in a statement.

Modi is set for a packed day of official engagements today, starting with his bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.

The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be officially renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field, along with a range of nearly a dozen MoUs across different sectors.

Modi will then head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition where he will interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK.

The event, hosted by Prince Charles, will include the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network for evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda.

A brief stop to garland the Basaveshwara statue -- which Modi had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015 -- on the banks of the river Thames will then be followed by his second meeting with May at an event hosted by the British prime minister at the Francis Crick Institute.&nbsp;

After an interaction with Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases, both leaders will initiate the India-UK CEOs Forum.

Modi is then scheduled for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event, to be telecast live from the iconic Central Hall Westminster in London today.

The event, billed as the centrepiece of the 'Living Bridge' theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media.

At the end of the live telecast, he will join Heads of Government from 52 other Commonwealth countries at a dinner hosted by the British prime minister as a formal welcome to CHOGM.

This will be followed by the executive session of the heads in London tomorrow before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis.&nbsp;

This will conclude Modi's UK visit after which he will leave for India.&nbsp;

According to official estimates, the India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India.&nbsp;

Modi's visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership as well as an enhanced role in the Commonwealth.

"India's engagement is absolutely brilliant? there is a recognition that the Commonwealth offers a great opportunity for India and within that opportunity lies an opportunity for the rest of the Commonwealth," says Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

An Indian prime minister will attend the Commonwealth summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having last attended the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Indian government has said that Modi's attendance at the summit this year symbolises the country's wider efforts to step up its role across global forums. This stepped-up engagement is likely to take the form of increased activity within the Commonwealth, including greater resources and manpower as well as financial contributions.&nbsp;

Modi was received at Heathrow by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He will be in the UK on a four-day visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the UK today for a four-day visit of bilateral engagements as well as multilateral discussions as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson received Modi at the Heathrow airport here. Johnson said he was "excited" about the growing India-UK bilateral trade and that the visit will help build on "huge economic advantages". "..Thanks to our shared history, we have a living bridge between us? and now we want to build on the incredible tech sector where both India and the UK are making giant strides together," Johnson said in a statement. Modi is set for a packed day of official engagements today, starting with his bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the return of illegal immigrants, which had expired in 2014, will be officially renewed to take into account biometric and other developments in the field, along with a range of nearly a dozen MoUs across different sectors. Modi will then head to the Science Museum in London to visit the '5000 Years of Science and Innovation' exhibition where he will interact with Indian-origin and other scientists and innovators based in the UK. The event, hosted by Prince Charles, will include the launch of a new Ayurvedic Centre of Excellence, aimed at creating a first-of-its-kind global network for evidence-based research on yoga and Ayurveda. A brief stop to garland the Basaveshwara statue -- which Modi had inaugurated during his last visit to the UK in 2015 -- on the banks of the river Thames will then be followed by his second meeting with May at an event hosted by the British prime minister at the Francis Crick Institute. After an interaction with Indian-origin scientists working on cancer research, malaria and other tropical diseases, both leaders will initiate the India-UK CEOs Forum. Modi is then scheduled for a private audience with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace before the 'Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath' diaspora event, to be telecast live from the iconic Central Hall Westminster in London today. The event, billed as the centrepiece of the 'Living Bridge' theme of the India-UK bilateral visit, will involve Modi addressing questions from across the world which have already been received via social media. At the end of the live telecast, he will join Heads of Government from 52 other Commonwealth countries at a dinner hosted by the British prime minister as a formal welcome to CHOGM. This will be followed by the executive session of the heads in London tomorrow before they head to Windsor for the CHOGM retreat, where the world leaders will interact on an informal basis. This will conclude Modi's UK visit after which he will leave for India. According to official estimates, the India-UK bilateral trade stands at USD 13 billion, with the UK among the largest G20 investors into India. Modi's visit will have a particular focus on the India-UK technological partnership as well as an enhanced role in the Commonwealth. "India's engagement is absolutely brilliant? there is a recognition that the Commonwealth offers a great opportunity for India and within that opportunity lies an opportunity for the rest of the Commonwealth," says Lord Marland, chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). An Indian prime minister will attend the Commonwealth summit, which is held every two years, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, having last attended the 2009 CHOGM in Trinidad and Tobago. The Indian government has said that Modi's attendance at the summit this year symbolises the country's wider efforts to step up its role across global forums. This stepped-up engagement is likely to take the form of increased activity within the Commonwealth, including greater resources and manpower as well as financial contributions.

Modi lands in London for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

London&#39;s Heathrow airport said early on Monday that there were still some disruptions to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-airways-cancels-all-saturday-flights-from-londons-heathrow-gatwick-after-it-failure-16114">British Airways flights from the airport following a global computer system</a> failure at the airline.

London&#39;s Heathrow and&nbsp;Gatwick airports were closed for the whole day on Saturday after a power supply problem disrupted its flight operations worldwide and also hit its call centres and website&nbsp;leading to large-scale flight disruptions leaving several thousand passengers stranded at the two airports.&nbsp;

BA said on Twitter it would run a full schedule at London&#39;s Gatwick on Monday and intended to operate a full long-haul schedule from Heathrow along with a high proportion of short-haul service.

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On Monday, we will run a full schedule at Gatwick and intend to operate a full long-haul schedule from Heathrow 1/4
&mdash; British Airways (@British_Airways) <a href="https://twitter.com/British_Airways/status/868989859612033024">May 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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with a high proportion of our short-haul programme. We apologise again to customers for the frustration and inconvenience 2/4
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they are experiencing and we thank them for their continued patience. We urge customers due to travel today 3/4
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The airline resumed some flights from Britain&#39;s two biggest airports on Sunday, but hundreds of passengers were still waiting for hours at London Heathrow.

&quot;We have mobilized additional Heathrow colleagues to assist passengers at the terminals and give out free water and snacks,&quot; Heathrow said in a statement on Twitter.

The airport had said earlier that further delays and cancellations of BA flights were expected on Sunday and told passengers not to travel to the airport unless they were rebooked on other flights.

(Reuters)

British Airways said it would run a full schedule at London's Gatwick on Monday

London's Heathrow airport said early on Monday that there were still some disruptions to British Airways flights from the airport following a global computer system failure at the airline. London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports were closed for the whole day on Saturday after a power supply problem disrupted its flight operations worldwide and also hit its call centres and website leading to large-scale flight disruptions leaving several thousand passengers stranded at the two airports. BA said on Twitter it would run a full schedule at London's Gatwick on Monday and intended to operate a full long-haul schedule from Heathrow along with a high proportion of short-haul service. On Monday, we will run a full schedule at Gatwick and intend to operate a full long-haul schedule from Heathrow 1/4 — British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 × with a high proportion of our short-haul programme. We apologise again to customers for the frustration and inconvenience 2/4 — British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 × they are experiencing and we thank them for their continued patience. We urge customers due to travel today 3/4 — British Airways (@British_Airways) May 29, 2017 × The airline resumed some flights from Britain's two biggest airports on Sunday, but hundreds of passengers were still waiting for hours at London Heathrow. "We have mobilized additional Heathrow colleagues to assist passengers at the terminals and give out free water and snacks," Heathrow said in a statement on Twitter. The airport had said earlier that further delays and cancellations of BA flights were expected on Sunday and told passengers not to travel to the airport unless they were rebooked on other flights. (Reuters)

After IT shutdown, British Airways still experiencing disruptions at Heathrow

Britain will not decide where to build a new runway at Heathrow airport until at least October due to the political turmoil following Britons&#39; vote to leave the European Union, transport minister Patrick McLoughlin said today.&nbsp; 
 
London&#39;s Heathrow, Britain and Europe&#39;s busiest airport, has been campaigning for 25 years for an extra runway and a decision had been expected this summer, after it was pushed back by the government from last year. 
 
But, after his side lost the vote on the country&#39;s EU membership, Prime Minister David Cameron said he would resign by October, and a Conservative leadership contest has begun. 
 
&quot;Being realistic, given recent events, I cannot now foresee an announcement (on airport capacity in southeast England) until at least October,&quot; McLoughlin told lawmakers.&nbsp; 
 
Cameron&#39;s government has been considering for four years where to build the runway, with Heathrow seen as the front-runner over Gatwick, Britain&#39;s second busiest airport, after it was selected by the Davies independent commission in 2015. 
 
However, his possible successor Theresa May opposes Heathrow expansion.&nbsp; 
 
Another high-profile opponent of Heathrow expansion, former London mayor Boris Johnson, said on Thursday he would not be standing for the Conservative leadership.&nbsp; 
 
Business leaders have repeatedly called on the government to build a new runway as Heathrow, Europe&#39;s busiest airport, is already full.&nbsp; 
 
But past attempts to expand the airport, 15 miles west of London in a densely populated area, have been scuppered by local opposition over worries about increased noise and air pollution.&nbsp; 
 
McLoughlin said a government analysis on air quality linked to expansion would be published soon, and said that despite the delays the runway could still be built by the 2030 deadline set by the Davies commission report. 
 
The latest delay to Heathrow&#39;s 18 billion pound ($24 billion) expansion plan was criticised by business groups. 
 
The British Chambers of Commerce said the government was missing an opportunity to stimulate business confidence, while the City of London Corporation said competing on a world stage meant being able to build new trade links.&nbsp; 
 
A quarter of the country&#39;s exports move through Heathrow, Britain&#39;s biggest port, but it has no extra capacity to add routes to new markets including China. 
 
&quot;If Britain wants to be confident, outward-looking and at the centre of the world&#39;s economy then expanding Heathrow must be a key building block in the government&#39;s Brexit plan,&quot; Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
Tesco chairman John Allan told BBC radio that a delay was &quot;unhelpful&quot; and lamented the fact that &quot;reasons of internal party management&quot; came ahead of what was in the nation&#39;s interest.&nbsp; 
 
Heathrow&#39;s largest shareholder is Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial. Other partners include Qatar Holding, China Investment Corp and the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. 
 
(Reuters)

Heathrow has been pushing for 25 years for an extra runway but efforts have been thwarted by opposition to increased noise and air pollution

Britain will not decide where to build a new runway at Heathrow airport until at least October due to the political turmoil following Britons' vote to leave the European Union, transport minister Patrick McLoughlin said today. London's Heathrow, Britain and Europe's busiest airport, has been campaigning for 25 years for an extra runway and a decision had been expected this summer, after it was pushed back by the government from last year. But, after his side lost the vote on the country's EU membership, Prime Minister David Cameron said he would resign by October, and a Conservative leadership contest has begun. "Being realistic, given recent events, I cannot now foresee an announcement (on airport capacity in southeast England) until at least October," McLoughlin told lawmakers. Cameron's government has been considering for four years where to build the runway, with Heathrow seen as the front-runner over Gatwick, Britain's second busiest airport, after it was selected by the Davies independent commission in 2015. However, his possible successor Theresa May opposes Heathrow expansion. Another high-profile opponent of Heathrow expansion, former London mayor Boris Johnson, said on Thursday he would not be standing for the Conservative leadership. Business leaders have repeatedly called on the government to build a new runway as Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, is already full. But past attempts to expand the airport, 15 miles west of London in a densely populated area, have been scuppered by local opposition over worries about increased noise and air pollution. McLoughlin said a government analysis on air quality linked to expansion would be published soon, and said that despite the delays the runway could still be built by the 2030 deadline set by the Davies commission report. The latest delay to Heathrow's 18 billion pound ($24 billion) expansion plan was criticised by business groups. The British Chambers of Commerce said the government was missing an opportunity to stimulate business confidence, while the City of London Corporation said competing on a world stage meant being able to build new trade links. A quarter of the country's exports move through Heathrow, Britain's biggest port, but it has no extra capacity to add routes to new markets including China. "If Britain wants to be confident, outward-looking and at the centre of the world's economy then expanding Heathrow must be a key building block in the government's Brexit plan," Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said in a statement. Tesco chairman John Allan told BBC radio that a delay was "unhelpful" and lamented the fact that "reasons of internal party management" came ahead of what was in the nation's interest. Heathrow's largest shareholder is Spanish infrastructure firm Ferrovial. Other partners include Qatar Holding, China Investment Corp and the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (Reuters)

Brexit political turmoil delays call on new runway at London airport until October

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