![A plane taking off on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Gatwick Airport after the runway re-opened after drones were sighted near the runway. [Photo: IC]](http://img0.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20181221/3d734ee5-13e0-4cb8-9230-0476d3236c97.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
Gatwick has reopened after a 31-hour runway shutdown caused by multiple drone sightings.
The first flight to land on the re-opened runway was from Shanghai. Only a limited number of planes have taken off or landed on the runway since drones were first seen flying in the vicinity of the runway.
Gatwick has released a statement saying that “Overnight we have been able to work with partners, including government agencies and the military to put measures in place which have provided the confidence we needed to re-open the runway and ensure the safety of passengers, which remains our priority.”
![People wait near the departures gate at Gatwick Airport near London on Thursday, December 20, 2018. The airport remains closed, and incoming flights delayed or diverted to other airports, after drones were spotted over the airfield last night and this morning. [Photo: AP/Tim Ireland]](http://img1.zhytuku.meldingcloud.com/images/zhycms_chinaplus/20181221/d3a03b1d-7972-4890-b65e-d7955e83f3c4.jpg?x-oss-process=image/resize,w_650)
The closure affected 110,000 people who were due to fly on Thursday. The airport is advising passengers to check with their airlines to find out if they can travel.
Sussex Police say they are now in “a much better position” to respond to future drone appearances in the vicinity of the airport.
