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London Gatwick Airport drone disruption holds Kelly Falcone's family from Maidstone, back from Lapland Christmas getaway

A family's Christmas holiday is hanging in the balance because of a drone flying in Gatwick airport's airspace.

Kelly Falcone, from Maidstone, was all-set for a two-night getaway to Lapland at 6am this morning.

But a year after booking a festive trip, the family have been left waiting among thousands of other flyers as a rogue drone wreaks havoc with flights from London Gatwick.

Scroll down to listen to Kelly Falcone

Gatwick Airport (4860560)
Gatwick Airport (4860560)

The mother-of-two said: "My mum had paid for all of our family to go to Lapland and see Santa. When we came into the airport this morning it said we were still scheduled to go at 6am but then it flashed up about 5.30 saying our flight had been delayed, we've had news trickling through since then about what's going on outside.

"We've got four young children who are desperate to see Santa, bless them they've been really good."

VIDEO: Kelly Falcone speaks about Gatwick incident

"The boards here said our flight would leave at 8am, then it changed to 9am, we're looking on the news and the drone is still flying around now."

The 38-year-old is currently waiting with her husband, two children, as well as her two parents and her brother with his wife and two children.

She added: "Once the airspace is clear our flight will go. Obviously that's changing all the time and they're cancelling flights all the time.

"While our flight is on the board we're just going to wait, we can't do anything else.

"My mum booked it last Christmas, the children have known since September and have been getting excited for the last few months.

"We've got four young children who are desperate to see Santa, bless them they've been really good..." Kelly Falcone

"I just feel gutted for my parents really. They've organised it and paid for it, it's just such a shame it had to be today.

"It's just really frustrating because you don't know what's going to happen. I just don't understand why the drone can't be taken down, I don't understand how it has disrupted thousands of people.

"They're saying they can't shoot it down for public safety but there must be a way they can safely take a drone out of the sky if it is over London Gatwick.

"The kids have been absolutely amazing, baring in mind they've been up since 3.30am. Everyone's trying to put a brave face on it but as time goes on we'll be getting fed up."

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