Aviation

While BA2673 was blocking the runway at Gatwick, other flights bound for the airport were put into holding patterns. Because of the extended holds and the unknown amount of time needed to remove the aircraft from the runway, nine flights declared fuel emergencies in the course of diverting to alternate airports. Squawking 7700 is the internationally recognized transponder code for general emergency and alerts air traffic control to flights requiring priority assistance. A total of 14 flights diverted away from Gatwick to nearby airfields, including London-Stansted, London-Luton, London-Heathrow, Birmingham, and Bristol.