Air traffic at UK airports recovered from last Thursday's security alert, with the number of cancellations already easing drastically by Friday.British Airways operated a "near normal" schedule, with 70% of its scheduled short-haul and domestic services to and from London Heathrow departing as well as all long-haul flights with the exception of six services to the US. Most of its London Gatwick services and nearly all of its regional flights under the BA Connect banner were completed, albeit with some delays.

Bmi reported Friday it was "business as usual across all bmi group operations" and said it experienced a "minimum of delays" to its 170 daily flights to the UK, Europe, India and Saudi Arabia.

EasyJet intended to operate a full flying program by Saturday and maintained extended check-in hours to allow passengers to deal with intensified security checks. Ryanair advised passengers booked to travel over the weekend on flights from the UK to bring only one bag and offered those who did not wish to travel on Aug. 11-12 a rebooking free of charge via a special Web link, a policy it introduced on Aug. 10.

The UK Dept. of Transport maintained the additional security measures put in place Thursday, with severe restrictions on all hold luggage. "These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only," it said.

However, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander indicated Friday that the ban on hand luggage could become permanent. "The heightened level of security will last only as long as the situation demands and is kept under constant review," he was quoted as saying. Yet he stressed the new security requirements will be "capable of functioning in an environment as pressurized and busy as somewhere like London's Heathrow."

UK Home Secretary John Reid on Friday indicated the threat level following Thursday's terror alert would remain at the highest level as investigations continued. He also said he would convene a meeting of the National Aviation Security Committee to discuss future airport security.