London City Airport was briefly evacuated earlier this afternoon after an incident prompted a precautionary response. At around 4:39 pm on Monday, February 3, police were called to the airport following concerns about an unattended bag.
The airport’s landside area was evacuated as a safety measure, leaving hundreds of passengers to wait outside in the car park. One passenger, who was caught in the queue, shared the experience on social media, stating, “London City Airport seemingly evacuated? In queue with several hundred people now in the parking lot.”
Later, passengers were slowly allowed back inside the terminal after the situation was resolved. Another witness reported seeing a police helicopter hovering over the runway, with incoming flights held in a holding pattern as a result of the disturbance.
A spokesperson for London City Airport confirmed the evacuation, stating: “As a result of an earlier incident, 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 Metropolitan Police later provided an update, revealing that the unattended bag was found to be harmless. A police spokesperson confirmed: “Police were called to City Airport following concerns around an unattended bag. The bag was determined to be nothing of concern, and the cordon has since been lifted.”
The airport resumed normal operations, with passengers slowly returning to the terminal, although some delays were expected due to the disruption. Authorities are working to ensure that no further security issues arise.
The incident serves as a reminder of the heightened security protocols in place at airports, and London City Airport assured the public that all necessary precautions were taken to safeguard those present.
