London City airport to suspend operation

LONDON - Following a government announcement Monday night, London City airport will temporarily suspend all commercial and private flights.

The suspension will be effective from Wednesday evening and is expected to last until the end of April.

"Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, the demand for global air travel has declined dramatically," the airport said in a statement. "At London City, most airlines have now suspended operations for the time being."

While commercial traffic will temporarily cease from the central London hub, the airport has indicated to government that the aerodrome can remain open and available to support emergency flights, the military or other government agencies.