According to the Sussex News, an active runway at Gatwick Airport has been closed following an incident involving British airways flight BA2279 which was scheduled to depart for Vancouver.
According to the report the aircraft operating the long haul service, a Boeing 777-200ER registered G-VIIT, is on the active runway with fire assets in attendance.
Updates to follow.
British Airways BA2279 London-Vancouver
Update 12:35 UTC
In developing news, British Airways flight BA2279 was preparing to depart London Gatwick Airport on a scheduled service to Vancover.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER carried out a rejected takeoff at high speed and is currently on the active runway with ground assets in attendance.
Photo via @Justene/X
Rejected Takeoff at Speed
British Airways flight BA2279 was conducting the takeoff from runway 26 at Gatwick earlier this afternoon.
Due to a technical issue, flight crew carried out a rejected takeoff at high speed as it prepared to rotate.
The aircraft has now vacated the active runway.
Update 12:50 UTC
London Gatwick Airport confirmed the airport’s temporary closure as a precautionary measure after the RTO incident.
Airport authorities imposed the suspension due to the potentially hot brakes on the British Airways aircraft.
The specifics of the technical problem prompting the rejected takeoff are not yet known.
Aircraft Details
British Airways flight BA2279 was preparing to depart Gatwick for Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
The aircraft conducting this afternoon’s long-haul service was a Boeing 777-200ER, registered G-VIIT. This is a 25.2 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the national carrier British Airways.
It has been in active service with the airline since its initial delivery in May 1999.
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