Icy weather shuts Gatwick runway

Passengers have been warned to expect flight delays

Passengers are being warned to expect delays after icy conditions forced the closure of Gatwick Airport's runway for nearly four hours.

BAA Gatwick said the runway and taxi-ways were reopened at about 1030 GMT following de-icing work on Thursday.

Earlier inbound flights were being diverted to other airports including, Heathrow, Luton and Stansted.

BAA Gatwick said there would be delays and passengers were advised to contact airlines for information.

It said a sudden drop in temperatures overnight led to the runway and taxi-ways being shut temporarily.

By 0845 BST, around 60 inbound and outbound flights were cancelled, delayed or diverted.

A spokeswoman said: "The runway was reopened just after 10.30 am. During the course of the day there maybe some delays as we get things back to normal."

Passengers were also urged to allow extra time for their journey to the airport.

A statement from BAA said: "Gatwick Airport apologises for the inconvenience this may have caused to passengers' travel plans and we are continuing to work closely with our airline and other business partners to return to a normal operation as quickly as possible."