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The problem when you have the second largest UK airport suddenly close is that you are likely to have multiple instances of PAN PAN or MAYDAY and so they have to be prioritised, along with everyone else who hasn’t declared an emergency yet.
Shouldn't all flights have enough fuel for 1st reserve airport though?
NurseHolliday-
They also get fined if they land with too little fuel.
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Yes, that’s fine when it’s just one aircraft wanting to divert. The problem when Gatwick or Heathrow shut suddenly is that lots of aircraft at once want to fly to their alternate, which may or may not be able to accept them. They all have to find a diversion airfield that can accept them, and then be individually coordinated and re-routed by ATC, which takes time and fuel that you weren’t planning to burn.
GoatandTricycle
rodan
Not sure, just anectdotal for now.
For reference, in the UK you get zero priority for sequencing, landing, diversion etc. if you complain of being a bit short of fuel or whatever. Pilot has to declare either a PAN PAN (urgency) if they think they may land with fuel below final reserve, or MAYDAY (distress) if they know that they will. Either of these will usually see the seas parted before them.
The problem when you have the second largest UK airport suddenly close is that you are likely to have multiple instances of PAN PAN or MAYDAY and so they have to be prioritised, along with everyone else who hasn’t declared an emergency yet.