Marine One carrying Trump, Melania makes unscheduled landing at UK airfield after technical snag

Officials confirmed that both Trump and Melania were unharmed. They later boarded a backup helicopter from the presidential fleet to continue their journey. The incident capped a whirlwind two-day trip to the UK, which included talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The helicopter episode came barely a day after another air safety scare involving the US president. On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight drew alarm when it flew unusually close to Air Force One over New York airspace. According to recordings obtained by the BBC, air traffic controllers issued repeated warnings to the Spirit pilots, even snapping: “Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”

The Spirit Airbus A321, travelling from Florida to Massachusetts, flew parallel to Air Force One at just eight miles (12.8 km) apart. Controllers urgently ordered a course correction, with one instructing: “Spirit 1300 turn 20 degrees right, now. Immediately.” Another added: “Spirit 1300 traffic off your left wing by six— or eight miles, 747. I’m sure you can see who it is. … Keep an eye out for him — he’s white and blue,” a reference to the colours of the president’s aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later clarified that the planes “maintained the required separation” and were never in officially unsafe proximity. Spirit Airlines defended its crew, saying Flight 1300 “followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions” before landing safely in Boston.

Despite the scare, Trump and the First Lady touched down safely in the UK on Tuesday evening.