{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreighzgfrybjyffpxmx7jhvejwmucagowo326rw2iof7rvuojz3jq4e",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiw6pu6hcv2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreidmvrgdng3pgss2djfduhms73jtibxzrhqzvrvta7al32b257ul6q"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 1458988
  },
  "path": "/news/gatwick-airport-close-gate-six-hours-swarm-bees",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-27T19:30:24.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Britons warned that more than 1.5 million houses could be infested with notorious Japanese knotweed",
    "Birmingham bin strike end 'within sight' as council reaches deal with union after bitter dispute",
    "Major high street chain shuts ALL standalone stores across the UK with over 1,000 jobs lost",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA swarm of bees forced a gate at London Gatwick Airport to close for six hours as beekeepers panicked to remove them from crucial electrical equipment.\n\nThe infestation occupied departure gate 176R yesterday, prompting a six-hour operation by Reigate Beekeepers Association to safely remove the insects.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite the gate being temporarily unavailable, passengers experienced no disruption to their travel plans as no aircraft were scheduled to use that particular gate during the removal process.\n\nNeighbouring gates also continued operating normally throughout the incident.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGerry James from the Reigate Beekeepers Association described his delight at receiving the call-out, telling the BBC he was \"like a little child in a sweet shop\".\n\nThe beekeeper found the experience \"very exciting\", even though his association responds to similar incidents at the airport's runway approximately four to five times annually.\n\nMr James acknowledged the pressure involved in such operations, explaining: \"You are under pressure until you finish because you know the gate is out of action.\"\n\nHe praised the airport's approach to wildlife management, saying: \"Gatwick is to be congratulated for what they do with the bees. They are very concerned about nature.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAfter clearing his equipment through airport security, Mr James employed a nuc box to capture the swarm - a compact container that functions as a temporary hive for transporting bees safely.\n\nThe rescued insects will be relocated to one of the association's training apiaries, where beginners learning beekeeping skills will care for them.\n\nA Gatwick Airport spokesman confirmed the bees were now \"safe and happy\", expressing gratitude to the beekeeper for his assistance.\n\nThe airport handled the situation to ensure commitment to protecting wildlife, while maintaining operations across the terminal.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Britons warned that more than 1.5 million houses could be infested with notorious Japanese knotweed\n  * Birmingham bin strike end 'within sight' as council reaches deal with union after bitter dispute\n  * Major high street chain shuts ALL standalone stores across the UK with over 1,000 jobs lost\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBee swarms are a common occurrence during spring and early summer months, as colonies seek new locations for the breeding season.\n\nWhen relocating, swarms typically pause on the first raised surface they encounter, as queen bees can only manage short flights at a time.\n\nThe Reigate Beekeepers Association has maintained a partnership with Gatwick Airport for several years, collecting swarms from numerous locations across the site.\n\nThis ongoing collaboration ensures the insects are humanely removed and rehomed rather than destroyed, reflecting the airport's commitment to environmental responsibility and wildlife conservation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nGatwick Airport could face further challenges this summer, as Sir Keir Starmer today said Britons might have to change their holiday plans over the economic impact of the Iran war.\n\nHe told Sky News: \"I can see that, if there’s more impact, people might change their habits, where they go on holiday this year, what they’re buying in the supermarket, that sort of thing.\"\n\nAsked for his message to the public, Sir Keir said: \"Don’t panic.\"\n\nLeading a meeting of the ministerial Iran crisis committee on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said \"at the moment\", the Government was confident about supply chains.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Gatwick Airport forced to close gate for six hours due to swarm of bees"
}