Travelers face strict security measures after terror plot foiled

Travelers faced cancellations and massive delays at Heathrow Airport -- the world's third busiest airport -- Aug. 10, and strict new airport security measures in the U.K., the U.S. and elsewhere, after British law enforcement authorities arrested 21 people in an alleged terrorist plot to blow up aircraft on flights from the U.K. to the U.S.

Authorities said the plotters planned to create the bombs with liquids that could be mixed to create explosives.

In the U.K., Scotland Yard Deputy Commissioner Paul Stephenson called the alleged plans "a plot to commit mass murder on an unimaginable scale." And, although the arrests appeared to foil the attack, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff noted: "We cant be sure the threat has been completely thwarted."

Those concerns led to strict security measures, some of which could be long lasting, and flight cancellations and long delays. The U.S. also sent more federal air marshals to the U.K. to increase their presence on U.S.-U.K. flights.

Heathrow, a huge international hub that ranks behind only Atlanta and Chicago's O'Hare in annual passenger traffic, came to a near standstill, and nightmarishly long security lines formed not only at London airports, but also at some airports in the U.S.

British authorities closed Heathrow to all incoming flights that were not already en route, and other flights at the airport faced severe delays. The British Airports Authority advised travelers not to come to Heathrow "unless their journey is absolutely necessary."

In addition, many flights to Gatwick were canceled and others were experiencing "severe delays," U.K. security officials said.

Among U.S. carriers, American canceled three of its 16 daily flights from the Heathrow to the U.S. as of 11:30 a.m. Aug. 10, said the rest of its schedule from London remained "subject to change," and noted operating flights faced delays due to the new security screening requirements.

Whats flying and whats not

" As of 11:30 a.m. Aug. 10, American canceled three of its 16 daily flights from Heathrow to the U.S. and said the rest of its schedule from London remained "subject to change." The carrier also noted operating flights faced delays due to the new security screening requirements. In addition, three of its 16 daily flights to London also were canceled: one apiece from Chicago, Boston and New York (Kennedy).

American said it would offer a refund for the canceled flights. Other customers with tickets to travel to, from or through the U.K. also could opt for a refund in the form of a voucher for non-refundable tickets, change their travel date to as late as Sept. 1, or change their destination.

" British Airways canceled all of its short-haul flights to or from Heathrow. It also said customers scheduled to fly out of other U.K. airports Aug. 10 or 11 have the option to rebook for flights as late as Dec. 1 or obtain a refund.

" United said its flights from London to the U.S. were operating, but as of noon Aug. 10 they were facing about a two-and-a-half hour delay. Its flights to London, most of which take off in the afternoon, were on schedule or close to it, the airline said.

United, however, was giving customers scheduled to fly to or from the U.K. Aug. 10 to 16 until midnight of their original travel date to make one change to travel plans for the same itinerary without change fees or advance purchase requirements. For a new itinerary, one change can be made without a change fee, but the customer may be subject to higher fares.

" Virgin Atlantic said it intended to operate all flights as planned Aug. 10, although it expected long delays both Aug. 10 and 11. It was letting travelers rebook for travel within the next 14 days in the same booking class, subject to availability.

Any passengers traveling on Virgin Atlantic "through tickets" connecting to or from Virgin flights on flights that were cancelled could rebook or cancel and receive a refund.

" Other canceled services by various airlines Aug. 10 included all flights from Brussels to London airports, Lufthansa flights to all U.K. airports, Olympic flights to U.K. airports, and Air Frances Paris-London services. EasyJet canceled all of its flights from Stansted and Luton.

New security measures in place

Air travelers who were flying faced strict new security measures, and it is not yet known which will be temporary and which will stay in place for the long term.

In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration banned all liquids or gels from carry-on baggage. They included all beverages, shampoos, suntan lotions and other lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gels and "other items of similar consistency."

Exceptions to the new rule included baby formula, breast milk or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket; and insulin and other essential non-prescription medicines.

The TSA advised travelers to pack lightly, without clutter, to "facilitate easier screening."

"These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant," the TSA said.

Northwest suggested that its customers "consider checking all of their luggage, in an effort to minimize delays at airport security checkpoints," and to check in two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international one. Delta also encouraged customers to check all baggage and arrive at airports three hours before their flights.

The measures were even stricter in the U.K., where authorities were forbidding any carry-on baggage on flights departing from U.K. airports. All items had to go into checked baggage instead.

That ban applied to all passengers connecting to other flights at a U.K. airport, regardless of where their flight originated, American said. American advised its passengers they would be required to check in their carry-on at the U.K. airport (the airline waived its excess baggage fee for those passengers).

British Airways said the carry-on ban also applied to all electrical and battery-powered items, including laptops, mobile phones and iPods, all of which had to be checked in.

Passengers could carry on pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses, but not handbags. They also could bring other individual items in a single, ideally transparent, plastic bag.

For example, customers could bring prescription medicines and medical items "sufficient and essential for the flight," but any of those items in liquid form had to be "verified as authentic."

Baby food was allowed if the contents of each bottle were tasted by the passenger, as were sanitary items for infants such as wipes, creams and diapers.

Female sanitary items "sufficient for the flight" could be brought onboard unboxed. Glasses and sunglasses could be taken on board, but not their cases; contact lens cases were allowed, but not contact lens solution.

Nothing could be carried in pockets.

Passengers boarding flights to the U.S. also faced second searches at the boarding gate.

British security officials said they expected to keep the measures in place through the weekend. They were not yet saying what would happen after that.

"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," the country's Home Office said Aug. 10. "In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the traveling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police."

In spite of the terror threat and new security measures, U.S. officials encouraged travelers to maintain their plans.

"We ask those people to continue on with their normal lives, but with some patience as professionals do their jobs, especially at airports around the world," U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said.

Chertoff advised people to enjoy their holidays, and "do so with confidence that we are screening out people who want to do harm to innocent travelers." As for the level of security screening measures, he said, "I'd rather we have more protection and then scale it back as we are reassured than underestimate the problem and find out we've made a tragic mistake."

To contact reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].