Thousands of Easter travellers heading to and from Gatwick Airport were thrown into chaos on Thursday morning after a serious crash closed a stretch of the M23 motorway in West Sussex. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 2, 2026, caused significant tailbacks and forced motorists to seek alternative routes during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
What Happened on the M23?
The collision involved multiple vehicles on the northbound M23 between junction 9 (Gatwick Airport) and junction 10 (Crawley). Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. The severity of the incident led to a full closure of the affected section, with police diverting traffic away from the motorway.
The timing could not have been worse for travellers. Easter weekend is one of the most congested periods on UK roads, with millions of Britons heading off on holiday breaks. Gatwick Airport, which handles tens of millions of passengers annually, remained open and operational throughout the incident, but the road closure created long queues stretching back several miles.
Impact on Easter Travellers
Drivers approaching the airport faced waits of up to an hour or more as traffic crawled along alternative routes. The A23 and surrounding B roads struggled to absorb the additional volume of vehicles, and many travellers missed their scheduled check-in windows as a result.
Passengers travelling to Gatwick were urged to:
- Allow significantly more time for their journeys
- Check live traffic updates before setting off
- Consider using public transport, including Gatwick Express rail services
- Contact their airline directly if concerned about check-in deadlines
Airlines operating from both North and South Terminals encouraged affected passengers to use the self-check-in kiosks and online check-in options where possible, though flights themselves were not directly affected by the road closure.
Emergency Response
Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, and the air ambulance responded to the scene. Given the nature of the collision, the road remained closed for several hours while investigations were carried out and vehicles were recovered. Highways England issued multiple traffic alerts and urged drivers to plan ahead or avoid the route entirely.
The M23 near Gatwick sits on one of the UK’s busiest motorway corridors, and incidents on this stretch regularly cause widespread disruption. The fact that the crash occurred at the start of the Easter bank holiday amplified the knock-on effects considerably.
Smart Motorway Controversy Resurfaces
The M23 section near Gatwick includes smart motorway technology, and the crash reignited debate about the safety of these roads. Critics have long argued that smart motorways — which use the hard shoulder as a live running lane — reduce the space available for breakdowns and emergencies, making incidents like this more dangerous and harder to manage. Campaign groups have called on the government to review the rollout of smart motorway upgrades on busy sections close to major airports and transport hubs.
Wider Easter Travel Picture
The M23 incident is one of several travel disruptions expected across the Easter bank holiday weekend. The RAC and other motoring organisations forecast that millions of car journeys will take place between Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6, 2026. Roads in the South East, South West, and the Midlands are expected to see the heaviest traffic.
Gatwick Airport itself is bracing for a busy period, with demand for short-haul European destinations remaining strong. Airlines have bolstered their schedules to accommodate Easter holiday demand, with popular routes to Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece among the busiest.
Advice for Travellers
If you are travelling to or from Gatwick this Easter, transport authorities recommend:
- Leaving home at least two hours earlier than you normally would
- Checking National Highways traffic alerts and the Gatwick Airport website for updates
- Booking a taxi or private hire vehicle in advance rather than relying on last-minute options
- Using the Gatwick Express from London Victoria as a stress-free alternative to driving
The airport has urged passengers to report to check-in at least three hours before departure for long-haul flights and at least two hours for short-haul departures, particularly given current road conditions.
What Comes Next
Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Highways England has said it will carry out a full inspection of the affected stretch of motorway before reopening it fully. Motorists are advised to continue checking live traffic updates throughout the Easter weekend, as further congestion is expected even without additional incidents.
For the thousands of families heading abroad this Easter, the M23 disruption serves as a timely reminder to build flexibility into travel plans — particularly when flying from one of the country’s busiest airports during peak holiday season.