London: Flight operations at Gatwick Airport, UK's second-busiest, was on Monday temporarily hit after the only runway was closed due to a suspected oil spillage.
At least 19 incoming flights were diverted and dozens more delayed at the airport in the south of England. "Arriving and departing flights recommenced from Gatwick at 11.38GMT. The runway closure has caused some flights to be diverted to other airports in the area and there will be delays to some departing flights," said a Gatwick Airport spokesperson.
"Friends and family waiting for passengers should contact the relevant airline for the latest information." Details of the spillage, and its cause, have not been disclosed, but reports suggested oil had leaked from a Boeing 747-400 plane jet on landing.
The airport, nearly 50 kilometres south of London, is among Britain's busiest and is used by more than 40 million passengers each year.
It is London's second-largest international airport and the second-busiest in the United Kingdom after Heathrow.
