Gatwick drone disruption cost easyJet nearly US$20mil

Drone chaos: An easyJet plane on its final approach before landing at Gatwick airport. The airline says the drone disruption in December forced the cancellation of more than 400 of its flights. — AP

LONDON: EasyJet lost £15mil (US$19.3mil) in the 36 hours of travel chaos sparked by drones flying into London’s Gatwick Airport in December, the budget airline said.

The British company, the largest operator at Britain’s second biggest airport, said the disruption affected 82,000 customers and forced the cancellation of more than 400 of its flights in the run up to Christmas.