Gatwick has resumed flights after they were temporarily suspended again when another drone was spotted near the airfield.

A spokeswoman from the airport said military measures were in place - meaning it is safe to fly despite the "confirmed sighting".

Incoming planes had to circle overhead and outgoing aircraft were kept on the tarmac as the report was investigated.

Flights have now resumed. Airfield movements were suspended while we investigated this as safety remains our main priority. The military measures we have in place at the airport have provided us with reassurance necessary to re-open our airfield. — Gatwick Airport LGW (@Gatwick_Airport) December 21, 2018

It comes after more than 100,000 Christmas travellers were affected when hundreds of flights were grounded from Wednesday night to early on Friday.

Officers still do not know who was behind the disruption.


The latest drone was spotted at around 5:10pm on Friday and journeys were suspended until just over an hour later.

Gatwick drone 'caught on camera'

The airport said in a statement: "Flights have now resumed at Gatwick following a reported drone in the area.

"While we investigated, airfield movements were suspended.

"This was a precautionary measure as safety remains our main priority.

I’ve offered a £10000 reward through @CrimestoppersUK for info leading to the arrest and charge of whoever is flying that drone over @Gatwick_Airport and ruining the holidays of many. Call @CrimestoppersUK at 0800 555 111 or through https://t.co/6mJtzGLnOq . Pls retweet — Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft) December 21, 2018

"The military measures we have in place at the airport have provided us with the reassurance necessary that it is safe to reopen our airfield."

Gatwick had only just reopened about 11 hours before flights were suspended again on Friday.

There was a shutdown all of Thursday and part of Wednesday night when drones repeatedly violated the airport's perimeter.

Image: Passengers wait at the North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport

Some passengers described freezing conditions as they slept on benches or on the airport floor.

Ana Trinanes, a mother-of-two, told how she feared she might not be able to spend Christmas with her family in Spain after the latest sighting.

Friday night marked the second time in two days her flight had been delayed or suspended because of a drone.

She said: "Oh my god, I want to cry, it is unbelievable - again.

"The first time I was laughing and I was speaking with my family and telling them everything about it, I still don't believe it.

"It's just a small drone against all the police and the army and everyone. It's unbelievable.

"At this moment I'm shocked, I don't know if I went to cry or I want to laugh, I don't know what to do."

Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft is offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and charge of the drone operator.

Gatwick is Britain's second busiest airport and serves more than 43 million passengers a year.