London City Airport is suspending all flights from this evening (25 March), it has announced.
The decision affects both commercial and private flights landing and taking off from the airport.
In a statement, released on its website and social media, London City Airport said:
At this point in this fast-moving and unprecedented situation, we think this is the responsible thing to do for the safety and wellbeing of our staff, passengers and everyone associated with the airport.
The suspension is currently expected to last until the end of April.
An important update from the airport at the heart of London.
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) March 25, 2020
We’re looking forward to welcoming you back soon. But for now, stay home and stay safe. https://t.co/WynJSJ3NaO pic.twitter.com/KEZLdHiZiv
It was announced yesterday that the nearby ExCel Centre will be transformed into a makeshift emergency hospital to help cope with the coronavirus. London City Airport's statement alludes to this, saying
We have offered the use of London's most central airport to the Government in case it can be used by the emergency services or other agencies to support the national effort to combat the outbreak of the virus and provide care to people in need.
Keep up to date on all the latest London coronavirus news here.