Police consider shooting down drone after London airport shutdown

Passenger aircraft are pictured standing on the tarmac at departure gates at London Gatwick Airport after all flights were grounded due to drones flying over the airfield.

British police were Friday considering shooting down the drone that has grounded flights and caused chaos at London's Gatwick Airport, with passengers set to face a third day of disruption.

Police said it was a "tactical option" after more than 50 sightings of the device near the airfield since Wednesday night when the runway was first closed. Police and airport authorities believe the drone is being flown in a deliberate act to disrupt the airport at one of the busiest times of year, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded just days before Christmas.