Five British Airways passenger aircraft unable to land at Gatwick due to the closure of its runway were diverted to Kent International Airport, at Manston, on Thursday.

Unexpected icy weather conditions at the UK’s second busiest airport forced the closure of its only runway during the peak morning rush.

Airborne aircraft expecting to land were diverted to alternative destinations including three international and two domestic flights that touched down at Kent International.

John Armitage, from Kent International Airport, said: "We had a call from BA Operations asking if we were able to take some of their flights and obviously we were only too happy to help.

"This also serves as another timely reminder of the importance of regional airports like Kent International which have the capacity to relieve the congested skies around the main passenger hubs."

The aircraft that landed at Kent International Airport were, in order:

8.28am, Boeing 737 from Malaga

8.45am, Airbus A319 from Naples

9.28am, Boeing 737 from Edinburgh

10.07am, Airbus A319, from Geneva

10.22am, Boeing 737 from Manchester

All aircraft taxied onto Bravo Apron bringing them to rest alongside the main terminal building. While four aircraft refuelled and waited for the all clear to continue their journeys once Gatwick reopened, all 116 passengers on the Naples flight disembarked at Kent International where airport staff arranged onward transport by coach to Gatwick.

John Armitage added: "The Naples flight was fully unloaded because by the time it had touched down the captain and crew were running out of the allotted hours that they are legally allowed to work. We arranged for a number of coaches from Kingsferry to take everyone to Gatwick along with some passengers from the Malaga and Edinburgh flights who were travelling with hand-luggage only and could therefore alight here.

"There was no agitation or bad temper from the passengers, who appreciated the speed with which we arranged their onward transfer to Gatwick. Hopefully now that they have seen what we can offer we will see them back at Kent International in the near future."

All aircraft had departed back to Gatwick by 12.45pm except the A319 from Naples, which had to await the arrival of a new crew. That finally departed at 4.28pm