Heathrow and BA reflect warmly on long association with the Queen

"All of us at Heathrow are saddened to hear Her Majesty the Queen has passed away. We offer our condolences to the Royal Family, the British public and the nations of the Commonwealth at this time.

"We’re thankful to have shared many key milestones with Queen Elizabeth II during her life, including welcoming her warmly in 1952 when she arrived back from Kenya as our Queen."

British Airways, meanwhile, the UK’s flag carrying airline, hailed the Queen’s "immense resilience" and said it would cherish the moments it shared with the monarch.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Her Majesty the Queen," said BA “At this terribly sad time, our thoughts are with the entire British Royal Family and the nation as we grieve her immeasurable loss.

"We are deeply honoured and proud to have flown Her Majesty on a number of occasions, moments which we will always cherish.

"Her Majesty has for so long shown immense resilience and encouraged us to stand together with the United Kingdom. We thank her for her service and bid her a final farewell.”