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Mushrif A

No handluggage on ALL UK flights

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I'm sure you have heard by now that due to specific terror threat in the UK to blow up planes, no body is allowed any hand-luggage on ALL flights departing from ALL UK airports today & probably next few days! This includes handbags, laptops, walkmans, car-keys, ipods, handphones, spectacle cases – all must be checked in! One is effectively only allowed purses, wallets and passports/tickets + a few essentials.

 

 

 

 

 

……baggage handlers with tendencies to dip into people’s checked luggage will have a field day!....I’m sure some will be sporting new Nokias, Thinkpads and Ipods.

 

Interestingly, SQ was very quick to update this info on their website but MH has nothing and its reservation people are clueless...typical less-efficient MH.

 

 

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I'm sure you have heard by now that due to specific terror threat in the UK to blow up planes, no body is allowed any hand-luggage on ALL flights departing from ALL UK airports today & probably next few days!

 

 

Did this happened? Which plane being blown up??

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Heathrow shut to incoming flights

 

Passengers are being asked to be patient when facing delays

Heathrow Airport has been closed to all incoming flights that are not already in the air, following a police anti-terror operation.

 

Stringent security measures have been put in place at airports across the UK.

 

Passengers are being asked to check in all hand baggage except for some essential items and travellers are experiencing long delays.

 

Flights from Brussels to all London airports have been cancelled. Lufthansa has also cancelled flights to the UK.

 

BAA strongly advises all passengers not to travel to Heathrow airport unless the journey is essential and there is an increased police presence at London Underground stations leading to the airport.

 

Long delays

 

Heathrow management took the decision to close to all flights not already in the air due to the congestion at the airport.

 

Manchester Airport have said there are delays on all flights of between one and three hours.

 

Donald Morrison, a spokesman for BAA at Glasgow Airport, said there would be delays at security for all passengers.

 

"We are bringing in additional security staff as we speak and we are hoping that passengers will be able to pass through security safely and swiftly but we would advise passengers to give themselves extra time when they come to the airport."

 

Significant delays

 

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said all airports and airlines operating into and out of the UK would be on a heightened state of security.

 

"Maximum security unfortunately will involve immediate and severe disruptions for passengers with significant delays likely at all UK airports," he said.

 

"What these changes mean in practice is that all hand baggage will now have to be checked in with only a small number of essential items allowed through search controls.

 

"Exceptions will be in place for those travelling with infants and for prescription medicines.

 

"Extra security arrangements will be in place for flights to the United States."

 

Passengers are being asked to check in most items of baggage, apart from wallets and purses, identity and travel documents, prescription medicines, spectacles and sunglasses and keys.

 

Those travelling with children will be allowed items essential for children on the flight.

 

Mr Alexander said passengers wanting detailed information should contact the airline they were due to travel with. Information would also be available on the Home Office, the Department for Transport and Foreign Office websites.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778871.stm

 

 

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Just wondering when will the airport reopen for normal operations.

Reopen after all muslim terrorist being caught?

I hope Uk won't remove Malaysia from the list of Visa free Countries due to all these treats from Muslim terrorist.

 

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Capital Radio is squabbling with this news from 2pm!

 

How are MH's flight affected?

 

My interpretation of the BBC report suggests that only short haul and regional flights are affected. I guess this closure will not be for an extended or indefinite period of time, and by the time long haul flights that are not already in the air depart, they will arrive in LHR in time for the airport's reopening.

Edited by Keith T

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Despite Malaysia being a muslim majority nation, the crime committed in the name of Islam is insignificant if not non-existant. I don't see a reason why the should force Malaysians to apply for Visa before entry, unless of course security became an issue.

Edited by S V Choong

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Extra security measures are in place at UK airports, the Department of Transport announced:

 

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only small personal and essential items, such as keys, wallets and nappies (full list below).

Nothing may be carried in pockets.

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

In addition, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to a secondary search at the boarding gate.

Any liquids discovered must be taken from the passenger. There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

 

Permitted items as hand luggage:

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).

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2306721,00.html

 

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Did this happened? Which plane being blown up??

NO fireworks. Authorities claimed to have arrested a few suspects on the night.

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When I passed Heathrow this morning enroute to work, I thought it was extremely weird because I could spot any incoming traffic, however I did see a few planes depart from the airport.

 

Came into office and got some High Important emails in my mailbox: -

 

SUBJECT:

Air Travel Security Alert

 

TARGET AUDIENCE:

All Travellers

 

SUMMARY:

Security alerts in all UK airports. The current threat level is assessed as "Critical" as of 10th August 2006.

 

DETAIL:

You may be aware of the security alerts in UK airports. The current threat level is assessed as "Critical" as of 10th August 2006.

 

We are aware that all UK airports have been affected and that all inbound flights to Heathrow not already in the air are to be suspended. BA has just advised that all short hall flights in and out of Heathrow airport have been cancelled until 1500 today, this situation is continuingly changing and we will keep you updated.

 

Corporate security are currently reviewing this situation and will provide further direction shortly

 

 

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I think they will mostly concern more on cell phone cost terrorist use it to activate the bomb.........bad day for Britain. But if they block the hand carry stuff for few days, the terrorist can still do it the day after :rofl:

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Despite Malaysia being a muslim majority nation, the crime committed in the name of Islam is insignificant if not non-existant. I don't see a reason why the should force Malaysians to apply for Visa before entry, unless of course security became an issue.

 

In the past Malaysian passport holder didn't required any Visa to enter Canada also, but since Sep 2002 Visa is required for all Malaysian passport holder to enter Canada.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/press/02/0229-pre.html

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It's a bold action the UK aviation authority takes since that means severe impact to air traffic across Europe and Americas.

 

Thanks for informing of such incident...

 

 

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I've just heard that news from BBC.I'm still wonders who's mastermind in this plot.

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Scary thought.....

 

If I'm travelling, does that means I will have to check-in my camera bag? Horror! Horror!

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All UK airports are affected currently, not only LHR. Passengers are required to check in two hours before flight and check-in counter will be closed one hour before flight. I have checked and BAA website and it seems that MH004 is not affected by the incident and is scheduled to arrive later in the afternoon. Most affected flights are to/ from US and those from continental Europe.

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Also complete chaos at AMS-Schiphol: KLM and Easyjet had to cancel all UK flights, not just LHR :o

 

It was on the news 15000 people now stranded at SPL...don't know about Jet2, Bmi, BmiBaby, etc...

 

Ferry passengers, it said, still uneffected, however more stringent checks on them...

 

see also this:

 

Transatlantic terror plot disrupted, UK airports in chaos

Thursday August 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.

 

 

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As I know, flights to US are now also applying such regulations. <_>

 

temporary ? or long term :mellow:

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It is likely to change the way we fly...the BBC quoting sources indicated that liquid explosives were to be used in conjunction with electronics and AA, UA and CO transatlantic flights were targeted....Such explosives are said to be non-detectable by the x-ray machines used to scan hand luggage.

 

Chances are, the no hand luggage policy will probably be applied across all US airlines departing from international ports to the US....

 

So how does one bring along handphones, laptops, cameras etc during such trips? And no drinks too unless you're a baby requiring your usual sustenance of milk.

 

Interestingly, only now are the UK authorities screening baby pushchairs & prams. The US has been x-raying them at the airports, but the UK hitherto (& M'sia too) would just get one of the screeners to push the pushchair/pram through the metal detectors & would just ignore the buzzing sound. What if certain materials are hidden within the metal parts?

 

ANyway, if the threat fails to be eradicated completely, we'll have a new way of travelling where overhead bins will be redundant - maybe they'll use this space for bunk beds, even for cattle class!

Edited by mushrif a

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August 11, 2006

Suspected British suicide bombers were just days away from simultaneous attacks on trans-Atlantic airliners when officials said they foiled what one senior police commander called "mass murder on an unimaginable scale".

 

British police arrested 24 people over a plot to smuggle bombs on to aircraft disguised as drinks, and new tough security measures for air travel remained in place on Friday. Airports were jammed on Thursday and scores of flights were canceled.

 

"(The bombers) were a couple of days from a test, and a few days from doing it," said a US intelligence official, declining to be named.

 

"The plan was to have multiple suicide bombings on aircraft, essentially at the same time," said US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, adding al Qaeda might have been involved but that it was too early to draw conclusions.

 

US President George W Bush said the plan was a stark reminder his country was at "war with Islamic fascists".

 

Pakistan said it played a role in thwarting the suspected plot. A senior government official said Pakistan arrested two Britons of Pakistani descent last week as part of a coordinated operation. No other details were immediately available.

 

The suspected plot raised the spectre of strikes to rival the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States that killed about 3,000 people and came 13 months after four British Muslim suicide bombers killed 52 people on London's transport network.

 

US officials said as many as 10 planes might have been struck. Trans-Atlantic jumbo jet flights usually carry more than 300 people, suggesting a death toll in the thousands.

 

"We are confident we have disrupted a plan by terrorists to cause untold death and destruction," said the London police force's Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson. "Put simply, this was intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale."

 

British Home Secretary (interior minister) John Reid said police were confident all the main figures had been caught but the US TV network ABC quoted unnamed US officials as saying five suspects were still on the loose.

 

British police gave no details of the people they had arrested, but the US Homeland Security department said all were British citizens. Raids were carried out in the capital London, southeast England and Britain's second city Birmingham.

 

Last month, al Qaeda called on Muslims to fight those backing Israel's strikes on Lebanon and warned of attacks unless US and British forces pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

British security sources said they had been watching the suspects for eight months.

 

Police are expected to ask a judge on Friday for permission to hold the suspects for up to 28 days without charge, under new anti-terrorism powers that came into force last month. They must seek permission within 48 hours of the arrests.

 

British media quoted the UK's central bank as saying it had frozen the assets of 19 of the suspects.

 

News of the suspected plot affected financial markets. Shares in European airlines fell. The pound fell against the dollar and the euro. Oil fell to below USD$76 a barrel on fears the security threat might slow growth worldwide and cut oil demand.

 

The new tough security measures imposed by Britain and the United States caused chaos and delays at airports.

 

British Airways said it expected to cancel about 40 percent of its short-haul and 25 percent of its long-haul flights from London's Heathrow Airport on Friday.

 

In Britain, all hand luggage was banned and passengers were allowed on board with only a single clear plastic bag containing items from an official list. In the United States, authorities banned liquids and gels from bags being carried on to aircraft.

 

In both countries, travelers with babies were forced to taste their baby food before boarding.

 

Airport authorities told people to stay home if they could.

 

(Reuters)

 

....must have been a big loss for BA... :o

 

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