Gatwick airport runway closed due to oil spill

Gatwick airport was closed to all flights earlier today due to an oil spillage on the runway.

No planes were able to leave the airport since the runway was closed at about 10.15 this morning, and some inbound flights were also diverted.

Other flights were been forced to remain in the air, and were given priority to land once the runway was cleared and safety checks wer carried out.

A spokeswoman for the airport said staff had immediately got to work to clear the spillage, which reportedly came from a Virgin jet.

The aiport reopened just after 11.30pm, but a spokesperson warned there would be residual delays to outbound flights.

A Gatwick spokesperson said: "Arriving and departing flights recommenced from Gatwick at 11:38am

"The runway closure has caused some flights to be diverted to a range of other airports in the area and there will be delays to some departing flights.

"Friends and family waiting for passengers should contact the relevant airline for the latest information."