Flights to and from Gatwick Airport were disrupted this afternoon after operations at the London hub were temporarily suspended.

The move – which occurred at 1.44pm – was in response to a sighting of a suspected drone close to the airfield.

According to an airport spokesperson 12 inbound aircraft were diverted to other airports while the sighting was investigated.

“Passenger safety is the airport’s absolute priority and – following established procedures - operations at London Gatwick were suspended temporarily at 1344,” the statement said. “These investigations have now completed and the airfield reopened at 1435.”

According to Flightradar24, most of the impacted flights diverted to London/Luton, while the remaining aircraft landed at Stansted. However, two easyJet flights ended up in Bristol and Southend.

The Gatwick Airport spokesperson confirmed that they expect many of the affected aircraft to return to the London hub today.