5 September 2026ONGOINGATC / airport infrastructure failure

Gatwick runway closure after Norse 787 incident, 5-6 September

WHAT'S HAPPENING

A Norse 787 incident prompted a runway closure at London Gatwick Airport on 5 September.
More than 330 flight delays were reported following the closure.
A subsequent report on 6 September said about 90 percent of flights were facing long delays.

Sources: Travel Tourister · thetraveler.org

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR CLAIM

COMPENSATION: UNLIKELY — CARE STILL OWED

A failure of air traffic control or airport infrastructure is outside the airline's control and normally counts as extraordinary, so compensation is usually not owed. Care, rerouting, and refund rights are unaffected — and expenses you reasonably incur when care is not provided are reimbursable.

Basis: Recital 14/15, Regulation 261/2004

WHATEVER THE CAUSE, YOU'RE OWED

Meals and refreshments after 2–4 hours' wait (by flight distance), plus hotel and transfers if you are delayed overnight.
On cancellation: the choice between rerouting as soon as possible, rerouting at a later date, or a full refund within 7 days.
If the airline provides no care, keep receipts — reasonable expenses are reimbursable.
These duties apply even when the disruption itself is extraordinary.

CAUGHT IN THIS RIGHT NOW?

Open the Black Box and record what the airline tells you — especially the reason. The exact wording decides the extraordinary-circumstances question later.
Ask for rerouting in writing (app chat or email), and keep every receipt.
Once you know your final delay, check your flight and generate the letter.
Airline already replied with an excuse? Decode it.

This page explains the rules that generally apply to this type of disruption. Airlines assess each claim on its own facts; eligibility for a specific flight depends on its circumstances.