Thousands Stranded as Arctic Weather Closes Gatwick Airport

Gatwick airport has ground to a halt due to heavy snowfall in Britain, bringing much of the southeast to a standstill. With efforts to clear the runway failed due to consistent snowfall, it is thought that the airport will remain closed until 6am tomorrow morning, with no flights in or out.

The decision to close the airport was made after 6in snow was predicted, and the cold spell is set to last until Friday. The runway has been closed since 10.30pm on Tuesday, and with 550 to 600 flights scheduled to have departed Gatwick before 6am on Thursday, the closure has affected thousands.

Passengers arriving at the airport are being advised to return home. For those stranded at the airport, Gatwick has offered blankets and refreshments and efforts are being made to help them find hotels or return home.

"Safety is obviously paramount," a Gatwick spokesperson explained, "and there's no way any plane will take off or land from the runway in current conditions." Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest information.

Transport across the country remains affected due to the adverse weather conditions, with a number of motorways countrywide experiencing major delays and dangerous driving conditions.

Train services are also disrupted, with London badly affected. Two commuter trains became stuck for hours in freezing conditions. Commuters on a train from London to Sussex were stuck on the train for more than five hours, and passengers on a train from London Bridge to Kent were stranded for six hours overnight.

Criticism of the transport industry in the UK to keep Britain moving during the cold weather increased as it emerged that failure to do so could cost the economy up to £1.2 billion a day.

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