AIRPORT CHAOS
Gatwick Airport evacuated & passengers told ‘get out NOW’ as bomb squad swoops on suspicious item found in luggage
Gatwick Airport and three train lines have issued urgent advice to passengers
GATWICK Airport's entire South Terminal was evacuated after a bomb squad swooped on a suspicious item found in luggage.
Passengers were ordered to "get out now and stay far away" - with trains suspended to the UK's second busiest airport.
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Dozens of flights have been delayed, grounded and forced to turn back mid-air.
In an update this afternoon, Gatwick Airport said: "The earlier security alert has now been resolved and cleared by police.
";The South Terminal is reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly.
"Trains will also start calling at Gatwick Airport once the terminal is fully reopened.
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"We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while this situation was resolved."
A Gatwick spokesperson added: "Safety and security is always our top priority.
"There are some delays and cancellations, passengers should contact their airline for any updates on flights.
Cops scrambled to the South Terminal at 8.20am after a "suspected prohibited item" was found in luggage.
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Explosive Ordance Disposal cops have been deployed as a "precaution".
Roads have been closed around the terminal and long queues are building on the M23.
Trains will not stop at the airport until the terminal is cleared, and passengers have been urged to delay their trips.
Anyone who is already on a train to the airport has been told to get off at an earlier stop.
Some passengers have been sent on buses to the North Terminal, which remains open.
But Spanish airline Vueling has already turned some flights around, it is understood.
EasyJet flies from the south terminal - but the airline expects many passengers to miss their flights because of the train station closure.
It's understood easyJet will rebook passengers for free if they miss their flights.
Couple 'heartbroken' after romantic getaway scuppered
By Joe Hadden at Gatwick Airport
Rochelle Robinson, 30, and Matt Compton, 29, told of their heartbreak after the disruption scuppered their romantic birthday getaway to Budapest.
The pair had driven from Southampton to Gatwick only to be ushered out of the South Terminal by cops.
Recruitment worker Rochelle told The Sun: “We went down to the South Terminal and the police were there at the roundabout telling us we couldn’t go any further.
“This was meant to be for Matt’s 30th birthday so we’re a bit gutted.”
Carpenter Matt added: “Our flight was meant to leave at 13:20 so that’s gone.
“We are waiting for updates but it looks like we’re not going to be able to make it.
“We’ve got no travel insurance but we’ve been told we can claim it back from the airport so we’ve got our fingers crossed.
“It is what it is – there’s nothing we can do about it.
“We’re probably going to fly out of Southampton instead and just go somewhere else.”
The disruption has also derailed plans for arrivals – because the airport’s train station is located inside the South Terminal.
Michelle Decorso, 58, and daughter Elliott, 17, had flown in from Portugal before a planned journey up to Scotland to see family.
Consultant Michelle, from Fairbanks, Alaska, said: “We have no idea how to get to the train station because it is in the South Terminal.
“We were meant to be meeting with my sister and my niece for a long weekend.
“Now we’re just sat around with no idea what to do.”
The pair are now left with no choice but to walk a mile in the bitter cold to catch a train from nearby Horley
Michelle joked: "It's not the best weather but we're Alaskans so we can manage it."
The security threat comes just hours after bomb disposal cops detonated another suspicious package at the US Embassy in London.
But it is not yet known whether the two packages are linked.
A passenger told The Sun: "Police are telling people get out now and get as far away as possible."
Gatwick worker Luke Williams told The Sun: "Me and my friends have been currently stuck air side from 10.30am this morning.
"Pret has currently run out of sandwiches and most of the cold food -the coffee can only be given in small cups."
Blankets and water bottles have been handed out to passengers waiting in the cold outside the airport.
Posting on Twitter, Nick Meacham said: "Arrived at London Gatwick for routine connection.
"Got through customs to find out they're evacuating the entire airport.
"Even people through security are being taken outside. Trains shut down and 1000s of people all over the streets and carparks waiting."
Tanya Willis, 30, was due to fly to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for a weekend break at 11.25am this morning.
Tanya, a teacher, from Merton, London, said: "I arrived at the airport and was taken to the airport lounge.
"I was there for about 20 minutes and then was suddenly told by a member of staff that everyone had to leave.
"The terminal was being evacuated, it's very scary.No one can leave or come out.
"Lots of people were running, all the shops have been closed up. It looks like Covid again.
She added: "Everything is just deserted - I've never seen anything like it."
Sussex Police told The Sun: "Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20am 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."
Gatwick Airport said: "The South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident.
"Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing.
"Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority."
The airport added: "We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible."
Thameslink, Southern Rail and Gatwick Express have issued a joint statement with advice to passengers.
The statement reads: "Gatwick Airport will not be served until further notice.
"This is due to the Police and emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport.
"At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident.
"We would recommend delaying your journey until later this morning.
"If you have already left for your journey, you will need to leave the train at either Horley, Three Bridges or Crawley and use local Metrobus services to Gatwick Airport."
A spokesperson added: "Your ticket will be accepted at no extra cost on these routes.
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"Please note that the buses may not be able to stop at their usual stopping locations at Gatwick Airport.
"To clarify, we advise you not to travel to Gatwick Railway Station at present."
Dozens of flights delayed
By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
THE evacuation of Gatwick Airport’s South terminal will have a huge impact on the unfortunate passengers trying to fly in or out today.
A total of 316 flights were due to take off from the airport and 318 land throughout the course of today - a total of 122,050 seats - according to aviation analytics company Cirium.
The knock-on effect of the terminal evacuation will be felt throughout the day and into tomorrow as airlines are forced to deal with planes - and cabin crew - in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Although airlines will not have to pay any compensation for delayed or cancelled flights as this is a situation outside of their control, they do have a duty of care to look after passengers.
If your flight is delayed for more than two hours for short haul flights, three hours for medium haul flights and four hours for long haul flights then your airline should be providing you with food and drink, or vouchers to buy them.
They should also be providing you with accommodation and transport to and from the airport if your flight is delayed overnight. And they should also be reimbursing you for any costs for calls you need to make.
If your flight is cancelled, your airline should be making sure you are able to get to your destination as soon as possible, even if that involves flying on another airline.
With the chaos surrounding an airport evacuation, contacting your airline may be difficult.
If you have to buy food, drink or hotel accommodation yourself, make sure to keep all receipts and keep expenses reasonable - they won’t pay you for a champagne five course meal.
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