Gatwick Airport latest: Police call in bomb squad after terminal evacuated as passengers face huge delays – UK Times

Flight disruption is now under way at Gatwick. The Spanish budget airline Vueling has ordered two flights from Barcelona to Gatwick, as well as a single flight from Seville, to turn around and return to their starting points.

The corresponding outbound flights to Spain will also be grounded.

Police have been seen arriving at Gatwick Airport.

A passenger reported officers arriving at the scene at 11.53am.

Police have revealed that a bomb squad has been called in after a “suspected prohibited item” was discovered in luggage at Gatwick Airport, causing the evacuation of a large part of the South Terminal.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, Sussex Police said: “Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am on Friday (22 November) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.

“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with.

“As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport.

“This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible.”

The captain of a plane waiting at Gatwick Airport has told passengers the incident is over a suspicious package, according to media reports.

One of the passengers on a plane waiting on the tarmac was interviewed by LBC and said to the broadcaster that this is what they were told.

As many as 316 flights are scheduled to depart Gatwick Airport today, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium – equating to over 60,650 seats.

A further 318 flights are scheduled to arrive into Gatwick Airport today – equating to over 61,400 seats.

A passenger has said their flight has been delayed this morning as they were warned to not return to the departure loung but stay near the gates.

They posted on X: Flight is delayed further and being told not to go back to departure lounge but stay near the gates….no estimated time of departure yet. Still boarding to gate area so fingers crossed Gatwick Airport.”

Gallons of water are reporteldy being delivered to passengers waiting at Gatwick Airport after being evacuated, with information on the security incident still scarce.

One passenger wrote on X this morning: “Incredibly impressed with Gatwick Airport and their team… safely evacuated everyone from the terminal and now bringing gallons of water around for everyone.. top job!”

Gatwick’s South Terminal is used by dozens of airlines, notably British Airways, Ryanair, Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air, Air Malta and a number of Chinese airlines. Some easyJet flights operate from the South Terminal, but most use the North.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, knows Gatwick well. He comments: “While information from the airport is still sketchy, what I infer from the statement so far is that there is concern about an item found during the security search area.

“This was clearly deemed sufficiently serious for the entire check-in area, as well as the railway station, to be cleared.

“Passengers who are already ‘airside’ are likely to be able to remain there.

“Arrivals are, I understand, being bussed to North Terminal which is still operational. But there will be large queues building up; there is a limited amount of space.

“Meanwhile thousands of passengers hoping to fly away will be enduring a frustrating time, wondering whether they will make their flight – or whether it might be cancelled.”

Train services at Gatwick Airport’s station have also been suspended.

Train passenger information website National Rail Enquiries said: “The police are dealing with an incident at Gatwick airport.

“The station and airport are currently being evacuated.

“Services are able to run through the station and area but will not call at Gatwick airport at this time.

“Please avoid travelling to the station whilst this incident is ongoing.

“This is expected to continue until approximately 2pm.”