It seems the NOTAM for Luton is probably to close the airspace when Biden arrives/departs as the timings are very similar for AF1.
172driver wrote:
Air Force One normally goes into Stansted, but I’m sure they will have to distribute the assorted dignitaries and their jets around the various London airports. Prob90 too much to handle for any one of them. Well, LHR could probably do it, but only if they excluded all CAT.
Got this in email:
pilotrobbie wrote:
Luton Closed on 18th strangely, Biden?
Air Force One normally goes into Stansted, but I’m sure they will have to distribute the assorted dignitaries and their jets around the various London airports. Prob90 too much to handle for any one of them. Well, LHR could probably do it, but only if they excluded all CAT.
pilotrobbie wrote:
Lots of closures appearing in the NOTAMS already.Luton Closed on 18th strangely, Biden?
Q) EGTT/QFALT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5152N00022W005
AERODROME CLOSED TO ALL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS 1850-1905. ZERO FLOW
RATE ON ARRIVALS 1850-1915.
FROM: 18 Sep 2022 18:50 GMT (19:50 BST) TO: 18 Sep 2022 19:15 GMT (20:15 BST)
Q) EGTT/QFALT/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5152N00022W005
AERODROME CLOSED TO ALL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS 1050-1105. ZERO FLOW
RATE ON ARRIVALS 1050-1115.
FROM: 19 Sep 2022 10:50 GMT (11:50 BST) TO: 19 Sep 2022 11:15 GMT (12:15 BST)
Additionally, Elstree, North Weald, Rochester, Headcord, Lydd and Stapleford have put out NOTAMs.
Lots of closures appearing in the NOTAMS already.
Luton Closed on 18th strangely, Biden?
I’m amazed they invited Putin.
No, they didn’t. The invitations have not been sent to Russia, Belarus and Myanmar.
pilotrobbie wrote:
The invite list is every nations head of state including Putin, who declined.
Actually it seems not.
The BBC reports that the only three countries not to be invited to send any representative are Russia, Belarus and Myanmar. Iran’s acting ambassador has been invited, but not it’s head of state.
Indochine wrote:
The impression I got was that the closure was more because the airport doesn’t think it is appropriate for there to be flying on that day, but the email doesn’t actually say this.
Could be. Airport management in the UK is full of people who like to try and make private individuals’ decisions for them.
Graham wrote:
It’s a bank holiday. If they don’t have arrangements with the staff for working bank holidays, especially ad-hoc ones announced at short notice, then it might be difficult for them to open.
Could be, although usually when staff (either the FISO or the ground / fire crew) are not around (or unavailable due to shortages) flying is still permitted provided the out of hours procedure is followed (except on Christmas Day, when no movements are permitted). The impression I got was that the closure was more because the airport doesn’t think it is appropriate for there to be flying on that day, but the email doesn’t actually say this.
Indochine wrote:
Fairoaks will be closed on Monday (no flying permitted), the day of the state funeral, but this doesn’t seem to be because of any operational or airspace issues.
It’s a bank holiday. If they don’t have arrangements with the staff for working bank holidays, especially ad-hoc ones announced at short notice, then it might be difficult for them to open.
