03 February 2025 , 19:21
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Hundreds of passengers were evacuated out of the terminal at London City Airport and into the car park - with one person claiming a police helicopter was seen flying over the runway
Hundreds of passengers were reportedly left stranded in the car park of London City Airport after the terminal was suddenly evacuated this evening, forcing inbound flights to circle in the air as they awaited updates.
The evacuation came after a "suspect package" was found at the site, the Met Police said, according to MyLondon. One person, taking to X, claimed a police helicopter was seen flying over the runway, halting inbound flights. The user wrote: "Seems to be some problem at London City Airport. Police helicopter over the runway and incoming flights in a holding pattern."
Another said: "London City Airport seemingly evacuated? In queue with several hundred people now in the parking lot." The post was accompanied by a photo of a large crowd gathered outside the airport.
London City Airport seemingly evacuated? In queue with several hundred people now in the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/qgao2zceA1
— Adam Gleave (@ARGleave) February 3, 2025
A third user simply said: "London city airport just evacuated." One person claimed passengers had been left in the dark about what was happening, only being told the airport was dealing with technical issues. They wrote: "London City Airport being evacuated (or at least the bit before security). No explanation other than technical difficulties."
A London City Airport spokesperson later told the Mirror that the airport’s landside area was briefly evacuated due to an "earlier incident". They said: “As a result of an earlier incident at London City Airport the landside area of the airport was briefly evacuated as a precaution. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however the safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority.
The airport said they were prioritising ’the safety of our passengers and staff’ ( Image:Getty Images)
“The incident has now been resolved and passengers are re-entering the terminal”, the spokesperson added.
Passengers have still reported long queues and delays, with one claiming the "security queue at London City is down to the airport entrance but moving". The X user added: "DLR is stopping at LCY (even though announcement says it isn’t)… only two departures coming up as delayed, both by 15 min."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 4.39pm on Monday, February 3 to City Airport following concerns around an unattended bag. The airport was temporarily evacuated and a cordon was put in place. The bag was determined to be nothing of concern and the cordon has since been lifted. "