Gatwick Airport was thrown into turmoil on Friday afternoon, 28 June, when a British Airways jet aborted its takeoff because of dangerously hot brakes. The incident occurred shortly after 1 PM, leading to the closure of the airport’s main runway and significant disruption to flight schedules.
The British Airways aircraft was preparing for departure when the pilots noticed a brake issue. Prioritising safety, they applied the brakes firmly and stopped the takeoff. Emergency services quickly responded, surrounding the plane with four fire engines to cool the overheating brakes and prevent any further risk.
Fire crews from Gatwick Fire and Rescue, supported by West Sussex firefighters, arrived promptly at the scene. Their swift and coordinated efforts ensured the situation remained under control. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft and returned to the terminal building. British Airways staff immediately began rebooking travellers on alternative flights. The closure of Gatwick’s main runway lasted for 50 minutes, during which 16 inbound flights were diverted. Additionally, 23 flights were cancelled, and widespread delays affected many other services at the airport.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport stated: “The main runway was closed for 50 minutes today (28 June) due to a departing aircraft having hot brakes. Safety is our top priority, and our fire service responded swiftly. The runway is now open and operating as normal.”
Authorities are conducting a full investigation into the brake fault while working to clear the backlog of flights. Although the runway has reopened, safety inspections and aircraft recovery operations continue. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest travel updates.
British Airways praised the emergency teams for their rapid response and reassured customers that their safety remains paramount. Gatwick Airport confirmed it is doing everything possible to restore normal flight operations without further disruption.
For real-time information, travellers can visit the Gatwick Airport website or contact British Airways customer services directly.
Originally published by UKNIP.
