LONDON (Reuters) - A Virgin Atlantic plane with landing-gear problems safely made a "non-standard" landing on Monday at London's Gatwick airport, but the airport remained closed, with no flights taking off and those headed for Gatwick diverted elsewhere.
Television coverage showed the Virgin Boeing 747 made a slightly bumpy, but otherwise regular landing. The passengers, who were scheduled to fly to Las Vegas, were later seen leaving the aircraft by stairs.
"Virgin Atlantic can confirm that flight VS43 has landed safely back at Gatwick," the company said in a statement. "Our priority now is to look after our passengers and crew."
Gatwick Airport, Britain's second-largest, said it would stay closed until the aircraft can be removed from the runway, and that it was not expected to reopen until at least 6:00 p.m..
No flights were departing Gatwick and inbound planes were being diverted to other airports.
Virgin Atlantic's website showed flight VS43 left Gatwick for Las Vegas at 1128 GMT before turning around shortly after passing the west coast of Britain.
Virgin Atlantic is 51 percent owned by its founder, British billionaire Richard Branson and 49 percent owned by U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines
(Reporting by William James and Andy Bruce; Editing by Catherine Evans, Larry King)
