Sir Richard Dearlove, who served as the chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has provided new details regarding a unique British aviation mission. According to Dearlove, a single RAF aircraft was granted permission to fly across the Atlantic and pass directly over the burning site of the Twin Towers in New York City.

This mission is notable because it took place during a period when the United States had implemented a total shutdown of its national airspace, grounding almost all civilian and commercial flights. Dearlove characterized the flight as a significant event that played a role in the subsequent intelligence and diplomatic coordination between the United Kingdom and the United States. While the flight's existence has been known in certain circles, Dearlove’s recent comments mark the first time the former intelligence chief has provided a comprehensive account of the operation's context and its importance to the immediate aftermath of the attacks. The report highlights the close cooperation between British and American intelligence agencies during the initial hours of the crisis, emphasizing how the UK sought to provide direct support and observation during the unfolding tragedy.