Trump's UK visit to disrupt busiest skies in Europe

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Donald Trump’s visit to the UK next week will cause significant disruption to normal flight operations in the world’s busiest city for aviation, London.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has told airlines: “As part of the overarching security plan, the Secretary of State for Transport has decided it necessary to introduce Restriction of Flying Regulations under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016.”

Between 8.30am and 10.30am on Monday 3 June, a swathe of airspace stretching from north London to Hertfordshire and Essex will be closed to air traffic below 2,500 feet.

The intention of the order is to avoid any aircraft interfering with the president’s helicopter shuttle between Stansted airport, where Air Force One will land, and central London.

A far longer ban on low-flying aircraft applies from 8.45am on Monday 3 June to 10.40am on Wednesday 5 June for London – roughly bounded by the M25 to the north and south, and extending as far west as Ealing and as far east as Stratford.

It does not apply to planes operating to and from Heathrow and London City airports. But by reducing airspace and controllers' flexibility, it is likely to disrupt the busiest skies in Europe.

A further series of restrictions will apply south west of London on Wednesday 5 June, for a flypast to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.