All flights to, from and within the USA were suspended today after the wave of attacks on Washington and New York.

Every airport in the USA and Canada has closed down this evening.

Passengers about to travel to the USA from Britain are currently being advised to stay at home rather than go to the airport.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have cancelled their daily services to New York and other US cities, but said services from London to the Caribbean would be uninterrupted.

A Gatwick Airport spokeswoman said: "We are now facing severe delays to our flights to America and as yet we have no idea when services will be resumed.

"All US airlines have been grounded and we are awaiting details of our timetable for tomorrow (Wednesday) which could also be cancelled.

"We understand passengers will be concerned and inconvenienced but all we can do is ask them to contact their individual airlines for the latest information."

United Airlines, which lost two planes, have cancelled flights worldwide.