At least nine planes all declare emergencies over Gatwick Airport after jet left 'disabled' on runway

At least nine planes bound for Gatwick Airport have declared emergencies after a jet was left "disabled" on the runway.

The nine flights, originating from across Europe, "squawked" the emergency code 7700, likely for low fuel.

Emergency services rushed to respond to British Airways flight BA2673, which landed at London Gatwick (LGW) around 12.50am.

Fire and ground vehicles responded to the jet's emergency, according to vehicle tracking data.

The jets which sent out the emergency signals included flights from locations in Spain, including Tenerife, Valencia, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Flights were also diverted from Rhodes and Athens in Greece, Bari and Rome in Italy, and Agadir in Morocco.

The BA flight's landing gear failed, which left the runway covered in fuel, one social media user who claimed her husband was on a diverted flight said.

"I originally thought this was interference like we saw back in 2024 over Russia, but these are in fact all emergencies due to low fuel on diversions away from London Gatwick, which is currently closed due to an aircraft disabled on the runway," Irish aviation journalist Shaun's Aviation said.

The nine flights eventually diverted to either London Luton (LTN) or London Stansted (STN).

One user on social media said their flight from Tenerife, bound for London Gatwick, instead landed at London Stansted.

The passenger, who was on British Airways flight BA2703, added: "Hoping we can be flown back to Gatwick soon!

Five further flights were also forced away from their original destination, raising the total diversion count to 14.

Five landed at Luton, four landed at Stansted, three flights landed at Birmingham Airport, one landed at Bristol Airport and one landed at London Heathrow.

The flights which were sent to Luton include easyJet flight EZY89LE, which departed from Agadir.

Also landing at the airport were easyJet plane EZY16VL, from Valencia and easyJet's EZY24LT, from Fuerteventura.

A squawk 7700 is the most common form of emergency signal and is used to indicate a general emergency.

Planes are expected to refuel and return to LGW, according to the social media user whose husband was on one.

Gatwick eventually reopened its runway around 1am, with incoming jets now able to land.

GB News has approached the airport and British Airways for comment.