World War II Bomb Removed From London City Airport, Hundreds of Flights Cancelled

London’s City Airport is expected to reopen tomorrow after an unexploded World War II bomb had to be removed from the site.

The 500-kilogram bomb was discovered at George V Dock in the River Thames by workers just after 5:00am on Sunday (local time), during pre-planned work at the airport.

All flights in and out of the airport were cancelled, affecting up to 16,000 passengers.

London’s Metropolitan Police cleared an area within 214 metres of the bomb, including several residential streets, as officers worked with specialists from the Royal Navy to remove the device.

The device was removed from its original position on Monday and taken to a second location within the dock.

London City Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said he fully expected the airport to be open as normal on Tuesday (local time).

Residents displaced by the operation have been told they can now return to their homes.

“I recognise this has caused inconvenience for our passengers, and in particular some of our local residents,” Mr Sinclair said on Twitter.

“At this stage we fully expect that the airport will be open as normal tomorrow.

“Passengers due to travel on Tuesday are asked not to arrive more than two hours before their flight.”

 

PHOTO: A Royal Navy diver prepares to inspect a submerged World War II bomb at London City Airport. (Twitter: UK Ministry of Defence)

One of London’s smaller airports

PHOTO: An unexploded World War II bomb was found at George V Dock in the River Thames near London City Airport on February 11, 2018. (ABC: Lincolm Rothall)

PHOTO: London’s docks were heavily bombed during the Blitz (Australian War Memorial collection.)

London City, the smallest of London’s international airports, handled 4.5 million passengers last year.

The airport is frequently used by business passengers and is close to London’s financial hub in Canary Wharf.

The airport is serviced by major airlines including British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa, and has flights to domestic and international locations.

It is also close to London’s East End, which was bombed heavily during the Blitz — Germany’s bombing campaign on the United Kingdom during 1940 and 1941.

Light railway stops near the airport have also been shut down due to the exclusion zone.