UK Terror Threat: Mid-flight attack foiled

A major terrorist plot to blow up an aircraft in mid-flight has been foiled by the British police and a number of people have been arrested.

British Intelligence agency M15 said today the current threat level is critical -- the highest possible-- and the security at all airports in the UK has been increased with additional security measures put in place for all flights.

It is thought that the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on to aircraft hand baggage, and attacks would have been particularly targeted flights from the UK to United States, the Scotland Yard said in a statement.

Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags. There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

Overnight, police arrested a number of people in London - the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months.

"Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in," a Metropolitan Police spokesman said. (PTI)

US puts airlines security threat to Code Orange

The US Department of Homeland Security raised the security threat level for all commercial flights to high, or orange, in co-ordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom, the department said in a statement on Thursday.

"Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is co-ordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements.

"Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels and lotions, from being carried on the airplane," the statement, attributed to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, said.

BRUSSELS: All flights from Brussels international airport to London were cancelled until further notice, a spokesman for the airport said on Thursday.

"This is a result of the security situation in the UK, and if flights do resume, passengers can expect delays as security has been stepped up," the spokesman said.