Flights were halted at Gatwick on Thursday after drones were spotted flying near its airfield, triggering the biggest disruption to its operations since a volcanic ash cloud grounded flights in 2010. The UK’s second-busiest airport said it will not reopen until it can guarantee safety.
Stranded passengers took to social media to express their disappointment over the delays and cancellations.
Johan Juujärvi, Rovaniemi Airport’s station manager, told Yle at least two chartered holiday flights on Thursday had been cancelled after drones brought Gatwick Airport to a standstill.
"Cancelled flights have been rescheduled for Friday," Juujärvi said.
Meanwhile two inbound flights carrying 380 passengers from Gatwick to Ivalo Airport in northern Finnish Lapland have been delayed by six hours, according to the website of Finnish airport operator Finavia.
Hundreds of travellers in Ivalo are also waiting to board return flights to Gatwick. Ivalo Airport’s station manager, Jarmo Pyhäjärvi, said the small airport will stay open to accommodate flights arriving hours behind schedule.