Volcanic ash cloud: travel nightmare for passengers despite Heathrow and ...
Nats, the air traffic control authority, said the London airports were clear of the no-fly zone but restrictions would be put in place "due to their close proximity to the no-fly zone, particularly affecting Gatwick inbounds."
The Department of Transport has warned there may be restrictions across different parts of the UK until Tuesday when a change in wind direction is expected to blow the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano away from Britain.
The lockdown on airports at the start of the week is expected to cause significant disruption to business travellers and holidaymakers.
Passengers have been advised to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
Network Rail has said it will do everything it can to help stricken passengers make their journeys by train. Virgin Trains is providing an extra 7,000 seats on Monday, and Eurostar is increasing services to Europe.
A spokesman for Nats said Gatwick would operate a limited departure schedule and flights would not be allowed to land until 1pm.