Gatwick Runway Closure Disrupts Flights

Flights at London Gatwick Airport experienced significant disruption on Friday, September 4, 2026, after a Norse Atlantic Airways passenger jet aborted takeoff due to a technical issue, forcing the airport's sole active runway to close for nearly an hour. The incident led to widespread delays, diversions, and cancellations, affecting hundreds of flights and stranding passengers. The disruption began when Norse Atlantic Airways flight Z0701, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, was accelerating down runway 26L. At approximately 120 knots, the crew initiated an aborted takeoff due to a problem with the aircraft's nose gear. The plane came to a halt on the runway, prompting emergency response vehicles to surround it. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. Gatwick Airport confirmed the runway closure lasted for 50 minutes. During this time, all departures and arrivals were halted. Numerous incoming flights, many operated by EasyJet, were diverted to other airports, including London Luton, London Stansted, and Birmingham. Passengers faced significant delays, with some flights delayed by over two hours.