DISRUPTIONS AT GATWICK AND LONDON CITY AIRPORT

Posted on 09/06/2016 | About Gatwick Airport, United Kingdom

All flights in and out of London City Airport have been disrupted after demonstrators blocked a runway to protest expansion plans. Police say they are negotiating with nine protesters who managed to get airside at about 5:40 am local time on Tuesday. The demonstrators erected a tripod and locked themselves together.

The group Black Lives Matter claimed responsibility on social media. It says expansion consigns the local community of Newham to environmental degradation.
The group says the airport caters to people working in financial services - making it a facility to help the wealthy.
Black Lives Matter said “when black people in Britain are 28 percent more likely to be exposed to air pollution than their white counterparts, we know that environmental inequality is a racist crisis.”
Runway ‘hole’ at Gatwick
London’s Gatwick Airport had to close its main runway on Sunday evening, after a 'hole' was reportedly discovered in the tarmac. Reports said eight aircraft were diverted and several flights were delayed or forced to circle before landing.
Some flights were reportedly diverted to Southampton.
Gatwick's backup runway, which is not usually used for public flights, was opened at 7.40pm on Sunday evening.
Airport officials said the closure lasted for just 10 minutes and was a 'precautionary measure'.
The airport tweeted: "Our main runway is now open and operating and we are working hard to get you on your way.
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this evening. Your safety is our number one priority."
An airport spokesman described the hole as a "small indentation".