Anti-expansion protestors forced the closure of London City airport this morning.
Activists managed to occupy the runway at the Docklands airport.
They are reported to have used a dinghy to cross water from an adjoining dock to reach the runway.
The action follows July’s government decision to approve £344 million expansion of the airport, which will lead to the number of take offs and landings increasing from 70,000 a year to 111,000.
The airport tweeted before 7am this morning: “We’re currently experiencing disruption to all flights due to protestors at the airport. Police are currently on the scene.”
Protest group Plane Stupid said the incursion at London City was a Black Lives Matter action.
The protesters grouped together on the runway caused all flights due to land at the airport to be diverted to Gatwick and Southend airports.
Outbound flights were being delayed after police were called to the airport at 5.40am and were still on the scene at 7am.
A police spokesman said: “We believe that the protesters are airside. We are on the scene at the moment and the incident is ongoing.”
The Metropolitan Police said: “There are currently nine protestors 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 protestors.
No arrests have been made at this stage.”
*Today’s business:am email alert attributed the action to Plane Stupid, we wish to clarify this should have read Black Lives Matter