Terror alert update: Airlines forced to cancel 20% of Heathrow flights

Airlines are being told to cut services by 20% today at London Heathrow to cope with heightened security.

The directive has been issued by airports operator BAA to any airline flying four or more flights a day.

BA has cancelled 39 of its 202 short-haul flights and five of its 76 long-haul flights.

It is operating all European and long-haul services from Gatwick but has cancelled all 26 domestic flights, except those to Jersey.

BA CEO Willie Walsh issued a statement over the weekend strongly criticising BAA’s performance at Heathrow, saying it had been unable to deal with increased security and baggage checks.

Meanwhile, the Home Office has downgraded the terror threat from critical to severe, meaning that an attack was “highly likely” but not “imminent”.

The ban on taking hand luggage on to flights has been lifted at most airports, although restrictions still apply at Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stansted until tomorrow.

At these airports, passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items:

– pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags)

– travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets)

– prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

– spectacles and sunglasses, without cases
contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

– for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)

– female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes)

– tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
keys (but no electrical key fobs)

At other airports, including Aberdeen, Bristol, Belfast, Inverness, Liverpool, Luton, Newcastle, and Nottingham East Midlands, each passenger will now be permitted to carry just one small item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point.

The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45 cm, width of 35 cm and depth of 16 cm, including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.

Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened.

No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

– prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (eg. diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic

– baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, eg toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, and aerosols.

BAA said passengers travelling today from Heathrow should continue to:

– check with their airline before leaving for the airport

– arrive with no hand luggage

– bring only those items allowed into the cabin in a clear plastic bag and being prepared for delays.

– all luggage should be consolidated and appropriate for the hold

By Bev Fearis