London: An Australian-based company that specialises in counter-drone warfare says it has the technology to solve the crisis gripping London's Gatwick Airport — however, the UK has been slow to consider adopting solutions to prevent such incidents.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers remained stranded at Gatwick on Friday due to drones being flown deliberately over the runway. Almost 500 flights in and out of the airport have been cancelled, causing mass chaos five days before Christmas.

Gatwick was shut at 9pm on Wednesday, local time, after two drones were spotted flying over the airfield. The runway was briefly reopened for 45 minutes around 3am but closed again after further sightings. The incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Sussex police are still searching those flying the unmanned aircraft which they believe are of "an industrial specification". They have resisted attempting to shoot down the drones fearing the public safety.