"I haven't slept in more 24 hours"

Antonio Filippi Source: Supplied

Antonio Filippi has been stranded in Gatwick airport on his way to Australia.

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Britain called in the army on Thursday to help police hunt a drone pilot who grounded all flights from Gatwick airport, leaving thousands stranded on one of the busiest days of the year.

The airport closed its only runway late Wednesday following "reports of two drones flying in and around the airfield" and further sightings on Thursday, according to Gatwick's CEO Stewart Wingate.

I passeggeri in attesa nel secondo scalo aeroportuale del Regno Unito Source: EPA

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