Airport runway closed after oil spillage

Gatwick’s runway has had to be shut this morning because of an oil spillage.

Reports suggest a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 dumped fuel on the tarmac, causing widespread delays since mid-morning.

A number of flights due to land at Gatwick were also being diverted.

The closure was causing delays to flights with many departures put back.

The airport tweeted: “The runway has been closed temporarily due to a spillage on the runway but will re-open shortly.”