At least nine planes headed for Gatwick Airport have declared emergencies after a jet was left “disabled” on the runway.
The nine flights, originating from locations across Europe, have highlighted broadcast emergency code 7700, likely for low fuel.
Emergency services rushed to respond to British Airways flight BA2673, which landed at London Gatwick (LGW) around 12.50pm.
Fire and ground vehicles responded to the jet’s emergency, according to reports.
The jets broadcasting emergency signals include flights departing from locations in Spain, including Tenerife, Valencia, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Flights were also diverted from Rhodes and Athens in Greece, Bari and Rome in Italy, and Agadir in Morocco.
British Airways BA2673’s landing gear failed, which caused the runway to be covered in fuel, users on social media have said.
“I originally thought this was interference like we saw back in 2024 over Russia, but these are in fact all emergencies due to low fuel on diversions away from London Gatwick, which is currently closed due to an aircraft disabled on the runway,” Irish aviation journalist Shaun’s Aviation said.
The nine flights have now diverted to either London Luton (LTN) or London Stansted (STN).
One user on social media said their flight from Tenerife, bound for London Gatwick, instead landed in London Stansted.
The passenger, who was on British Airways flight BA2703, added: “Hoping we can be flown back to Gatwick soon!
“It’s been much longer flight from Tenerife than usual.”
Most of the nine flights were diverted to Stansted.
But three flights were diverted to London Luton.
Flights seeming to land at LTN include easyJet flight EZY89LE, which departed from Agadir.
Also landing at the airport were easyJet plane EZY16VL, from Valencia and easyJet’s EZY24LT, from Fuerteventura.
A squawk 7700 is the most common form of emergency signal and is used to indicate a general emergency.
Planes are expected to refuel and return to LGW, according to users on social media.
London Gatwick reopened its runway around 1am, with incoming jets now able to land.
GB News has approached LGW for comment.