Ministers have labelled the police handling of communications surrounding the Gatwick Airport drone sightings as a "mess-up", Sky News understands.
After an hour-long conference call on Monday chaired by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, it was acknowledged police "have not handled their communication response well".
Sunday's claim by police that there was a "possibility" that there might never have been a drone, was described as a "mess-up".
Home Secretary Sajid Javid also took part in the call, along with representatives from the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Defence and Sussex Police.
The disruption, which began at about 9pm on Wednesday, affected about 1,000 flights and ruined the travel plans of more than 140,000 people.
Gatwick – Britain's second busiest airport – serves more than 43 million passengers a year.
More than 200 reports of drone sightings were made and police took 67 statements, including from police officers and airport workers.
In a statement, Gatwick said "there were multiple confirmed sightings of drone activity at the airport".
1:23Hundreds of people were forced to sleep at the airport as they had no idea if or when their flights would take off.
Detectives searching for whoever was behind the affair released a man and woman arrested over the incident without charge on Sunday.
Sussex Police said the pair, who had spent two nights in custody, were no longer suspects.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley said on Sunday that there were some "persons of interest" and denied the investigation was "back to square one".
People who reported sightings are being interviewed and officers are carrying out extensive house-to-house inquiries, he added.
Forensic officers are continuing to examine a damaged drone found near Horley, close to the airport perimeter and the last reported sighting.
There is a £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible offered by Gatwick.
A further £10,000 has been put up by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft through Crimestoppers.
During the call, the transport secretary briefed ministers on his plans to prevent copycat incidents.
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It is understood Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington urged colleagues to make it easier to authorise requests for military assistance.
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