DRONE operators have deliberately targeted Gatwick Airport, causing chaos for more than 120,000 people just days before Christmas.
The military was called in after the perpetrators escaped capture for more than 22 hours.
Airport bosses were uncertain as to when the UK’s second busiest airport would reopen and easyJet cancelled all flights to and from the West Sussex airport yesterday.
The incident led to calls for more action to tackle illegal drone use.
The runway was closed almost constantly since two drones were spotted being flown inside Gatwick’s perimeter at 9pm on Wednesday.
It was reopened at 3am yesterday but was closed 45 minutes later after the drones re-emerged.
Police described the devices as “industrial” models and are treating the incident as “a deliberate act to disrupt the airport”.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Sussex Police have requested assistance and support from the armed forces, and we will be deploying the armed forces to give them the help that they need.”
He added: “The armed forces have a range of unique capabilities and this isn’t something we would usually deploy, but we are there to assist and do everything we can so that they are in a position to open the airport at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Some 110,000 people faced cancellations to 760 flights yesterday, with about 10,000 passengers affected on Wednesday night.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “This is a highly targeted activity which has been designed to close the airport and bring maximum disruption in the run-up to Christmas. We are still receiving drone sightings in and around the Gatwick airfield.”
Disruption will continue today, which is one of the airport’s busiest days of the year because of the Christmas getaway.
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