BA gives Boston-bound passengers option to defer travel

British Airways is giving passengers the option to defer travel to or from Boston in the United States after two explosions close to the finish line of the city’s marathon yesterday killed three people and injured at least 140 others.

The airline said customers due to travel up to April 18 could rebook to a later date or use the cost of their ticket towards flights to another destination.

Virgin Atlantic said it would discuss concerns with any passengers reluctant to travel to Boston but as the airline is running its normal service any cancellations or amendments would be subject to normal terms and conditions.

Security has been increased in several US cities, including New York and Los Angeles, following the explosions which happened two hours after the winners of the Boston Marathon crossed the finishing line.

An eight-year-old boy is among the dead. At least 17 people were critically wounded, several having lost limbs.

The FBI is investigating the twin explosions, which it described as a "potential" terrorist attack.

Two hotels, the Mandarin Oriental and the Lenox, which are close to the initial explosions, were subsequently evacuated amid unconfirmed reports that suspicious packages were found inside.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned visitors to Boston that there may be disruption to travel, urging them to contact their travel operator for the latest information. It also said they should "exercise vigilance and caution, monitoring local media and following the advice of local authorities".

Additional information for visitors is available from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. The police have also set up an emergency hotline for friends and relatives: 001 617 635 4500.

Crisis management company red24 is advising visitors defer travel to the affected area of Boston and warning its clients to exercise particular caution near government buildings, security installations, major transport hubs, foreign diplomatic missions, western interests, high-profile hotels and crowded public areas. 

"Those planning travel in the US are advised to anticipate disruptions to road, rail and air transport services due to the increased security measures," it said.

Boston’s international airport remains open, although it said some flights may be delayed. Copley Station, closest to the crime scene, is closed today, but all MBTA train services are running.

Visitors to Boston should be prepared for on-the-spot bag searches on the MBTA, said local media.

A Virgin spokesman said the airline did not have any customers in hotels affected by the explosions and the airline had checked that all its clients in the city were safe. He added: "I would like to add our voice to those already given in support of the good people of Boston during this difficult time.

"It’s a city that has warmly welcomed our customers for many years."

The first explosion came at about 14:50 local time (18:50 GMT) on the north side of Boylston Street, about two hours after the winners of the Boston Marathon – the oldest in the world – crossed the line.

Seconds later, another explosion ripped into the crowd further away from the finishing line, between 50 and 100 metres from the first blast.

Medical officials said there were at least 140 injured, with injuries including severed limbs, shrapnel wounds, cuts and bruises. A 12-year-old and two-year-old were among the wounded.

At an initial news conference, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said authorities had received "no specific intelligence that anything was going to happen".

British police are reviewing security plans for Sunday’s London Marathon, the next major international marathon, following events in Boston.