What the papers say – December 21
Chaos at Gatwick Airport tops the agenda on Friday.
The Times reports that passengers could face days of disruption after drones forced the closure of Britain’s second-biggest airport.
The Times 21/12/2018 Armed police are seen next to the runway at Gatwick airport as the hunt for a drone operator continues. Flights have been cancelled due to two drones being spotted nearby. Photo : Peter Macdiarmid/LNP#thetimes#tomorrowspaperstoday#gatwick@thetimespic.twitter.com/HQqP5ketS6
— The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) December 20, 2018
The Daily Mail says up to 350,000 travellers had their Christmas holiday plans ruined as the culprit brazenly flew a powerful device near the airfield.
Friday's @DailyMailUK#MailFrontPagespic.twitter.com/DJgu49XLxO
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) December 20, 2018
The i describes it as “chaos in the skies”, while the Metro reports that the military was working to thwart the “highly targeted” attack.
I: Chaos in the skies #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/k7Oafd47kw
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 20, 2018
METRO: Seek and Destroy #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/XJh9KOQuR2
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 20, 2018
Environmental protesters were suspected of orchestrating the incident, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Eco-warriors blamed for drone attack that crippled Gatwick' #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/HVUS9GZlEy
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 20, 2018
And The Sun claims a lone wolf activist was feared to be behind the repeated drone flights.
Tomorrow's front page: Gatwick to be shut 'for foreseeable future' as 'eco-warrior' sends up drone AGAIN despite being hunted by cops, Army and MI5 for 24 hours https://t.co/XGQafnlPDGpic.twitter.com/P2Oj1UaZgs
— The Sun (@TheSun) December 20, 2018
The Guardian says the airport shutdown brought demands for new aviation regulations to tackle the threat of drones, while the Daily Express reports that there was outrage the device had been able to operate unhindered near the runway for more than 24 hours.
Guardian front page, Friday 21 December 2018: Gatwick chaos sparks call for new controls on drones pic.twitter.com/ELGwgn8rLv
— The Guardian (@guardian) December 20, 2018
EXPRESS: Just how can drone maniac shut Gatwick? #tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/EDiqUSgHpy
— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) December 20, 2018
In other news, the Financial Times says China has been accused of a worldwide campaign of cyber attacks against the US, Britain and their allies aimed at stealing trade secrets.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Friday 21 December https://t.co/TPxWYbz5tdpic.twitter.com/M0rGdJTQOs
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) December 20, 2018
The Daily Mirror leads on the 30th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing.
Tomorrow's front page: Lockerbie confession#tomorrowspaperstodayhttps://t.co/LkiCoiS1cCpic.twitter.com/vN9dbyjemm
— Daily Mirror (@DailyMirror) December 20, 2018
And the Daily Star reports that comedian Iain Lee was hailed a hero for saving a man’s life.
In tomorrow's @Daily_Star
– I'm a Celeb star Iain Lee saves man's life– Thousands will start new year with HUGE hike in bills– Gatwick drone wrecks Christmas#ImACeleb#GatwickAirport#britishgas#tomorrowspaperstodaypic.twitter.com/yXqYEISRiK
— Daily Star (@Daily_Star) December 20, 2018