Gatwick Airport was forced to close a departure gate for six hours on Sunday afternoon (April 26) after a swarm of bees settled near the area. The airport has thanked the local beekeeping community for their swift response in safely removing the insects.
Beekeeper Called to Rescue
Gerry James, from the Reigate Beekeepers Association, responded to the incident and spent approximately six hours coaxing the bees away. He noted that Gatwick calls him around four or five times a year for similar situations.
After passing his toolkit through security, Mr. James used a nuc box—a mini-hive designed for safe bee transportation—to collect the swarm. He described the experience as exciting but stressful. "You are under pressure until you finish because you know the gate is out of action," he said.
No Flight Disruptions
Despite the lengthy closure, no flights were cancelled or delayed as a result of the bee swarm. A Gatwick Airport spokesperson expressed gratitude, stating, "We are very grateful to our local beekeeping community."
Mr. James praised the airport's environmental awareness, adding, "Gatwick is to be congratulated for what they do with the bees. They are very concerned about nature."
The incident highlights the challenges airports face with wildlife, but Gatwick's proactive approach ensures minimal impact on operations.
