Heightened Security at all UK Airports

UPDATE 15 August 2006 - UK Relaxes Hand Luggage Restrictions. Original article of 10 August 2006: Airlines, acting on instruction from the UK Government, are advising passengers that no items of hand baggage can be carried on board any aircraft departing any UK airport.

The UK Government has advised that this instruction will apply to all airlines operating from UK airports until further notice. These instructions apply to passengers departing and also for those in transit at any UK airports.

Passengers may now only take through the airport security search point, the following items:

- pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (eg 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)

Every other item must be carried in the passenger's hold luggage. Nothing can be carried in pockets and all passengers will be hand searched, and footwear and all carried items will be x-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids will be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs will be allowed to pass through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point (Duty Free for example), will be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

For clarity, passengers are advised that no electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.

BAA is advising passengers to stay away from Heathrow if at all possible and passengers are strongly advised to contact their airline to check their flight status and any new developments. Delays and heightened security at airports in the US are also widely expected, as are cancellations and delays on flights into and out of the UK.

Of all the airports in the UK, Heathrow and Gatwick are the worse effected, with many airports only allowing ticket holders into the airport. As the status of flights and the airports keeps changing then we again, strongly recommend concerned parties and passengers to call the airline concerned directly.

See also: UK Relaxes Hand Luggage Restrictions

US bans all Liquids and Gels on Flights

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