What is the number of holds combined at Gatwick and Stansted airports?

The correct answer is based on the specific operational data available for Gatwick and Stansted airports. Holds, in air traffic terminology, refer to predetermined flight patterns that an aircraft follows while waiting to land or to be cleared for further instructions by air traffic control.

In this scenario, the combined total number of holds at both airports is provided as 2. It is important to consider the context of air traffic management at these locations, which may limit operational holds due to a variety of factors, including available airspace, traffic volume, and the particular procedures established for those airports.

The choice of 2 holds signifies that both airports are operating within parameters allowing for a manageable number of hold patterns, effectively ensuring that incoming flights can be accommodated without excessive delays. Other higher numbers, such as 3, 4, or 5, would suggest a more congested air traffic environment or additional procedural complexities that, in this case, are not reflective of the operations at Gatwick and Stansted based on the data up to October 2023.