Operations at London Gatwick Airport came to a sudden halt following an aborted takeoff involving a transatlantic passenger jet, leaving the airport’s main runway temporarily closed.
LONDON — Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0701, bound for New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), was forced to reject its takeoff roll on runway 26L. Emergency response vehicles rushed to the far end of the runway to reach the widebody Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (registration G-CKOF) and assess the situation. No injuries have been reported.
Because London Gatwick relies on a single main runway for its flight operations, the blockage forced an immediate ground stop. The disruption triggered widespread delays across the region, with numerous incoming EasyJet flights forced to divert to neighboring hubs, including London Luton and London Stansted airports.
However, operations will not resume immediately. Airport authorities must conduct a thorough safety inspection of runway 26L to clear any potential debris before reopening the airfield to normal traffic.
Travelers scheduled to fly in or out of Gatwick are advised to check their flight status directly with their airlines, as knock-on delays and air traffic backup are expected throughout the rest of the day.
UPDATE 14:30 BST
The Dreamliner taxied to a remote stand of the airport.
UPDATE 14:36 BST
Flight operations are resuming on runway 26L.
