US may ban foreign planes on September 11

Federal regulators are proposing to restrict foreign aircraft flying into and from New York and Washington and over Somerset County, Pennsylvania, on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

A Federal Aviation Administration official said the restrictions proposed for September 11 and 12 have not yet been approved, but they would ban flights from flying within 30 miles of Washington.

The restrictions, first reported by The Financial Times, would affect foreign-owned commercial and cargo aircraft.

“Clearly for international passengers it’s going to be a big inconvenience,” said David Stempler, president of the Air Travellers Association.

“For other passengers, the discussion about this flight ban may raise further anxieties on and around September 11.”