Why Donald Trump and Air Force One always land at Stansted Airport instead of Heathrow

Donald Trump has just landed in Britain for his state visit, touching down at London Stansted Airport rather than Heathrow or Gatwick. For casual observers, the choice of Essex's third-largest airport, better known for budget flights to Europe than presidential arrivals, might have seemed surprising.

But Stansted has long been the airport of choice for US presidents, and the reasons are rooted in security and logistics. Unlike Heathrow, just 16 miles from central London, or Gatwick, 28 miles to the south, Stansted is set 37 miles away in relative isolation.

Its layout allows aircraft to be parked far from terminals and other planes, making it far easier for the authorities to control any emergency situation, such as a hijacking or terrorist threat.

Since the 1970s, Stansted has been involved in multiple real-life hijack incidents, and its staff undergo regular drills in preparation for such events.

Security specialists are permanently based there, making the airport uniquely suited for high-risk arrivals.

It is also more practical. The M11 motorway runs directly past Stansted, allowing a presidential motorcade to travel swiftly into London with minimal disruption, something far harder to achieve at Heathrow, the UK's busiest hub.

That combination has seen successive presidents use Stansted airport, including Barack Obama, who flew in for each of his visits in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

Mr Trump's latest visit, from 16 to 18 September, was confirmed earlier this year after Sir Keir Starmer formally delivered the King's invitation to him at the White House. The three-day trip includes engagements at Windsor and a state banquet.

Calling the invitation a "great, great honour," Mr Trump added: "And that says 'at Windsor', that's really something."

So while Stansted may lack the glamour of Heathrow, its security credentials and logistical advantages explain why, once again, Air Force One touched down in Essex for a presidential visit.