Main runway at Gatwick Airport closed after hole is discovered during inspection
Passengers faced travel chaos as several flights were delayed and cancelled.

The main runway at Gatwick airport was closed after reports that a hole was discovered on the runway during an inspection. Several flights were cancelled and delayed as they were forced to circle above the airport for 10 minutes.
The alternative runway was opened at 7.40pm on Sunday (4 September) as flights were diverted as a 'precautionary measure'
An airport spokeswoman said: "This evening at 19:40, Gatwick had to switch operations from its usual southern runway to its stand-in northern runway, as a precautionary measure, following findings during one of our regular maintenance checks.
"During this change over we had a period of approximately 10 minutes when the airport was unable to accept landing aircraft, resulting in approximately eight aircraft being diverted, and delays to flights.
"We would like to apologise to any passengers impacted by this but the safety of our passengers is our number one priority. We are working hard to resume usual operations and get our passengers on their way."
Gatwick is a single-runway airport, but has a second runway which is used when the main runway is unavailable, Mail Online reports.
Meanwhile, unhappy travellers facing travel chaos as a result of the runway closure turned to Twitter to express their annoyance.
1/2 Flights are arriving and departing from Gatwick. We had to switch to our stand in runway resulting in some delays & diverts.
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) September 4, 2016
2/2 We're working hard to get you on your way. Apologies for any inconvenience this evening.
— Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) September 4, 2016
Diverted from @Gatwick_Airport to @STN_Airport & now chaos in baggage. No news on bags after over an hour. @easyJet pic.twitter.com/Qylwc3K10B
— Chloe Gunning (@WanderlustChloe) September 4, 2016
The way your heart sinks the moment your pilot announces a diversion due to a runway closure @Gatwick_Airport. No clue what's going on.
— Ben Hollebon (@benhollebon) September 4, 2016
@Gemma_B92 @flightsbhx @Gatwick_Airport they are getting the planes in slowly but surely. Still quite a bit holding though :(
— St Thomas MG (@StThomasCantMG) September 4, 2016
Wow! I wonder if this means government will back a #secondrunway at #GatwickAirport? #A380 https://t.co/X8fiOm0OMx
— Jim Kelleher (@UncleBooBoo) September 4, 2016
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