Air passengers are likely to face long waits for security checks at Gatwick despite the queues easing.

At the weekend people queued across terminal buildings as Americans tried to get home in the wake of the terrorist tragedy.

Nearly all transatlantic flights have returned to their normal schedules but the disruption caused by the disaster is likely to continue for some time.

A spokeswoman for Gatwick Airport said: "We are advising all passengers to contact their airlines before they come to the airport. It is up to the individual airlines as to how they allocate seats but I understand the backlog is easing.

"It has been very busy over the last few days but the schedules are pretty much back to normal now. The queues are not as bad although people are still likely to have a long wait because of the increased security more than anything."

She said there were certain individual flights which were still not running but all the major carriers had resumed normal service.

Britons stranded in New York were arriving back in Britain yesterday amid tight security.

To check flight details contact:

Gatwick Airport on 0870 0002468
British Airways on 0845 77 999 77
Virgin Atlantic on 01293 747747
United Arlines on 001 800 932 8555
American Airlines on 001 800 245 0999