18 September 2025Thomas MackintoshStory Picture AgencyAfter stopping at Luton Airport the US president swapped into a different helicopter and continued to StanstedThe helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump was forced to divert to Luton Airport as he finished his state visit to the UK.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "due to a minor hydraulic issue", the aircraft landed at a "local airfield" before later reaching Stansted around 20 minutes behind schedule.She said the decision was taken "out of an abundance of caution" adding that the president and first lady "safely boarded the support helicopter".Emergency services were spotted on the tarmac at Luton following the landing.Separate images show both of Trump's helicopters, just off Luton's runway.They are specially adapted aircraft known as "white tops" because of their livery.The craft carrying the president is known as Marine One. Story Picture AgencyEmergency services are seen at Luton Airport following the landingThe helicopters are fitted with missile defence and radar jamming systems as well as electronics designed to withstand the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear blast.As a security measure, Marine One often flies in a group of identical helicopters acting as decoys.It is also usually accompanied by two or three Osprey MV-22s - tilt-rotor aircraft referred to as "green tops" that combine the vertical landing ability of a helicopter with the flying speed and efficiency of an aeroplane.The Ospreys carry support staff, special forces and secret service agents, who are tasked with dealing with any mid-flight emergency.PA MediaMarine One landed at Chequers in Buckinghamshire as part of Donald Trump's second state visitTrump had been using the helicopter to travel between different locations on his unprecedented second state visit to the UK.He arrived at Stansted late on Tuesday night and was flown to Winfield House in central London - the official residence of the US ambassador to the UK.The following day, President Trump and his wife flew to Windsor Castle where they met the King and Queen.On Thursday, Trump was taken on Marine One from Windsor to Chequers for diplomatic talks with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.Trump said he had "a disagreement with the prime minister" on the subject of Palestinian statehood.Starmer plans to recognise Palestinian statehood ahead of next week's United Nations general assembly in New York.