国际英语新闻:British Virgin Atlantic flight lands safely following technical fault, airport runway closed

LONDON, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Gatwick Airport on Monday temporarily closed its runway after a Virgin Atlantic passenger plane returned to the airport due to a technical fault.

Virgin Atlantic confirmed Monday that its flight VS43 bound for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas returned to London Gatwick Airport due to a technical issue with one of the landing gears.

The aircraft landed safely after returning to Gatwick. Passengers have disembarked the aircraft via stairs following the emergency landing, according to Gatwick Airport.

"The runway has been closed until the aircraft can be removed from the runway and based on current predictions it is not expected to reopen until at least 18.00," the airport said in a statement.

The statement added, "Currently no flights are departing Gatwick and inbound flights are being diverted to other airports."

The airport worked with its airline partners to "provide food, drink and welfare facilities for those passengers whose flights may either have been delayed or cancelled."

"Gatwick staff and volunteers are being made available throughout the airport to offer passengers advice and the latest information," it noted.

Gatwick Airport also advised passengers to "check with their airlines on the status of their flight. Updates will also be posted on the Gatwick website and on Twitter."

In an earlier statement, Virgin Atlantic said the aircraft had prepared for "a non-standard landing procedure" at Gatwick, some 29.5 miles south of Central London.

Emergency services had been on standby at the airport as a precaution in line with the standard procedure.

Britain's South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust said it was alerted to a potential incident at Gatwick Airport.

The Trust "moved a number of vehicles into the area should they have been required, including our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and specialist paramedics."

"As far as we are aware at present, no passengers or crew require medical attention, although some clinicians will remain on scene until the incident is closed," the Trust said.