US closes airspace to all traffic

UNITED States airspace has been closed to all traffic following three air crashes, thought to be terrorist attacks.

Earlier this afternoon two aircraft crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York, causing both towers to collapse, while a third crashed into the Pentagon in Washington.

American Airlines confirmed two of its aircraft were involved, although it is not known who owned the third.

AA flight 11, a Boeing 767 travelling from Boston to Los Angeles carrying 92 people and AA flight 77, a Boeing 757 travelling between Washington and Los Angeles carrying 64 people, both crashed.

AA will not confirm where its aircraft went down.

News reports claim the US military is patrolling the skies for any other rouge aircraft.

United Airlines has grounded its worldwide fleet and is diverting all enquiries to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

British Airways is either diverting its USA bound flights or recalling them to the UK. None of its aircraft were involved in the crashes.

Virgin Atlantic has had to redirect one flight to Canada and two to the Caribbean while an incoming flight on its way to the UK will land as usual.

Manchester airport has cancelled two US bound flights while three aircraft heading for the US, which were already in the air, have been turned back. The airport is also on standby to accept aircraft turned back from the States, as is Belfast International Airport.

A spokesman for Heathrow warned passengers can expect significant delays as a result of today’s events.