Transatlantic Terror Plot Disrupted
Air Transportation World | Aug. 10, 2006
Airlines throughout the world are delaying and canceling hundreds of flights to the UK in response to the arrest there early today of 21 alleged terrorists accused of planning to destroy as many as 10 US commercial aircraft operating transatlantic UK-to-US service. "We are confident we have disrupted a plan by terrorists to cause untold death and destruction," London Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson said.The plot, which US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said was "suggestive of al-Qaida," apparently involved disguising liquid-based explosives as innocuous objects in carry-on baggage and electronic trigger devices disguised as electronic car keys. Reportedly, some of the suspects are UK citizens. All are believed to be Muslim. Aircraft operated by American Airlines, United Airlines and Continental Airlines are believed to have been targeted. Chertoff called the plot "as sophisticated as any we have seen in recent years as far as terrorism is concerned."
Major delays are occurring at London Heathrow and at airports throughout the UK as strict security measures, including a ban on all carry-on luggage, are imposed by the UK Dept. of Transport. Heathrow quickly degenerated into chaos not only at check-in but airside, where inbound flights had nowhere to park as outbound flights were delayed or cancelled. This situation resulted in UK authorities at mid-morning canceling all inbound flights that were not already airborne.
UK airports operator BAA advised passengers not to attempt to fly today. British Airways cancelled all Heathrow flights to destinations in the UK, Europe and Libya and major airlines throughout Europe cancelled flights to Heathrow and other UK airports. Major delays also are expected at US airports after the US Dept. of Homeland Security raised the nation's threat level to Red--its highest state of alert--for commercial flights outbound from the UK to the US.
DHS raised its threat level to Orange, or high, for "all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the US" and banned passengers from carrying any bottles or containers holding liquid substances aboard flights except for prescription medicine and baby formula for people traveling with infants.
The US Air Transport Assn. said its members were "cooperating fully" with authorities "in response to serious threat information." It said heightened security measures, which include a ban on passengers carrying beverages, hair gels and lotions aboard flights, "will result in passenger inconvenience" but are necessary to maintain "confidence in the security of our system."
Airlines around the world said they will comply with new security measures mandated by DHS for US-bound flights, including a requirement to screen all passenger footwear and a ban on liquids and gels in carry-on baggage. Chertoff said the arrests in London had "significantly disrupted the threat but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated." He added that the arrested suspects were in the "final stages" of planning for the attacks.