750XL has come up with lots of "reasoned" explanations in defence of the airline, the airport etc., but at no time has he/she come up with any solutions. My reasoning is that an airport of LGW's size should NOT be understaffed and SHOULD be able to handle diversions effectively. An airline of Air India's stature SHOULD have contigency plans in place for such diversions and the staff to handle it. As a passenger if I was held on an aircraft on the ground for 9 hours (at my destination city) I would be seriously miffed and I would not be dissuaded by a salvo of excuses.