Is the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) report on the 2018 Gatwick drone disruption being blocked?
According to the media, government lawyers are fighting the Information Commissioner’s decision that the Lessons Report should be released in full.
Gatwick Airport’s runway was closed for 33 hours between December 19 and 21 2018 because of multiple drone sightings. The incident was named Operation Trebor.
There were at least 50 sightings reported in the first 24 hours and testimony from Sussex Police confirmed there were 109 credible sightings in total.
Numerous sources said there were no drones at all and many wondered whether a drone could even be piloted in the weather conditions at the time.
Campaigners hoped the report would provide greater detail about exactly what happened
The incident prevented around 800 flights from taking off, affecting some 120,000 passengers.
The DfT has allegedly attempted to conceal the document’s existence, despite requests made under Freedom of Information laws seeking its release.
The government is said to have attempted to apply the national security exemption, preventing the document’s release.
Campaigners say this decision was not valid and question why the report, in full, has not been published.
