Arrests after Black Lives Matter protest shuts down London City Airport

The runway at London City Airport is now open following a protest by Black Lives Matter.

The Airport apologised for the inconvenience caused and advised passengers to check with their airlines for the latest flight information.

Police confirmed nine arrests were made after members of the group 'locked' themselves together on the eastern end of the runway on Tuesday morning.

The protest caused widespread disruption with the cancellation of dozens of flights.

Flights at London City Airport are set to resume shortly following a protest by Black Lives Matter.

The airport tweeted confirmation that all the protesters "have now been removed", and flights would resume "as soon as possible".

The Met Police have said all the protesters "have now been removed from the runway and taken into police custody."

They added: "Nine people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and breaching London City Airport bylaws."

The Met Police have confirmed seven people have been arrested following the Black Lives Matter protest at London City Airport.

Officers negotiated with the protesters early on Tuesday morning, but at approximately 9.30am officers began making arrests.

In a statement, they said: "So far seven people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and breaching London City Airport bylaws."

"Of those seven, two have been removed from the runway. All those arrested will be taken to east London police stations.

They added: "Work continues to remove the remaining protesters from the runway".

Protesters have been surrounded by dozens of police officers on the runway of London City Airport following a major security breach on Tuesday.

ITV News correspondent Nick Wallis, who is at the airport, said the protesters were gathered at the eastern end of the runway, which is opposite the main terminal building.

Aerial footage from the scene shows a heavy police operation currently underway with "at least six vans, two fire brigade vehicles, a police boat and around 30 people in attendance".

Scotland Yard confirmed no arrests have been made.

London City Airport have advised passengers to check with airlines for the status of flights, following a Black Lives Matter protest on Tuesday morning.

They said the passenger terminal building is open, but is "understandably very busy".

British Airways have currently suspended all flights from the airport and advised customers to check with the airline before leaving home.

In a statement, they said: "Due to protester action at London City Airport all flights have been suspended.

"We would advise customers to check with the airline before leaving home."

• London City Airport: Live Arrivals & Departure board

ITV News correspondent Nick Wallis has tweeted pictures of the disruption caused at London City Airport on Tuesday morning.

He said passengers have been told "not to enter" the terminal and added "no flights arriving or leaving" after protesters locked themselves together on the runway.

Nine protesters have "locked themselves together" on the runway at London City Airport, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

In a statement, they said: "There are currently nine protesters on the runway at the airport. They have erected a tripod and have locked themselves together.

"Officers are currently on scene and are negotiating with them. We are awaiting the arrival of specialist resources that are able to 'unlock' the protesters."

They added: "No arrests have been made at this stage."

Activist group Black Lives Matter UK have claimed responsibility for a protest that has shut down London City Airport, which they described as "an airport designed for the wealthy".

In a statement, the group said: "Black people are the first to die, not the first to fly, in this racist climate crisis.

"The action was taken in order to highlight the UK's environmental impact on the lives of black people locally and globally.

"Recently London City Airport was given approval to expand its capacity, a move that consigns the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment.

"When black people in Britain are 28% more likely to be exposed to air pollution than their white counterparts, we know that environmental inequality is a racist crisis."

Images taken by the group allegedly show the protesters congregating at London City Airport on Tuesday morning.

London City Airport (LCA) have said protesters are currently disrupting all flights at the airport, with activist group Black Lives Matter claiming responsibility.

In a tweet, LCA said police are "currently on the scene."

A spokesperson for LCA said: "The runway is currently closed due to protesters on site. Police are present and we will resume normal operations as soon as possible. We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience to their journey."

A Met Police spokesman confirmed protesters breached security on Tuesday morning and said the incident remains "ongoing".

"The incident began at 5:40am and a number of protesters are currently air-side. Officers are trying to resolve the situation and there have been no arrests", they added.