Flights at London City Airport have been delayed after Black Lives Matter protesters crossed the dock and "occupied" the runway.
Metropolitan Police said it was called to the airport at 5.40am to reports of protesters "who made their way airside".
Nine demonstrators have erected a tripod on the runway and have locked themselves together, Met Police added.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
Met Police said: "Officers are currently on scene and are negotiating with them.
"We are awaiting the arrival of specialist resources that are able to 'unlock' the protesters."
Black Lives Matter protesters on the runway at London City Airport
Flights to Zurich, Geneva, Guernsey and Zurich have been cancelled, while flights which were due to arrive at the airport from Rotterdam, Luxembourg, New York and Frankfurt have all been diverted.
In a statement Black Lives Matter UK said that activists are carrying out the demonstration "in order to highlight the UK's environmental impact on the lives of black people".
It added that the planned expansion of London City Airport "consigns the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment".
The statement read: "The average salary of a London City Airport user is €136,000 (£113,800) and 63% of them work in business, finance or other business services.
"It is an airport designed for the wealthy.
"At the same time 40% of Newham's population struggle to survive on £20,000 or less."
The protest comes a month after ten Black Lives Matter UK activists were arrested after a demonstration near Heathrow Airport.
In a statement London City Airport said: "We're currently experiencing disruption to all flights due to protesters at the airport.
"Police are currently on the scene."
The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation said that there will be no arrivals at London City Airport until at least 11am.
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