News: Terror plot to blow up transatlantic flights foiled
Flights > News > # 866 (10/08/2006)
Britain has raised its security threat level to critical this morning (August 10) after police foiled a major terrorist plot to blow up aircraft flying from the UK to the US. MI5 raised the threat level to the country to "critical" from "severe", meaning an attack is expected imminently. Police said the aim of the plot was to detonate bombs smuggled on board aircraft in hand luggage.
" A major terrorist plot to allegedly blow up aircraft in mid-flight has been disrupted in a joint, pre-planned, intelligence-led operation by the Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch and security services," a London police spokesman said. He said police believed the intention was particularly to target flights from Britain to the United States.
It has been reported on the BBC that about 18 people were arrested. The police spokesman could not confirm the figure, saying only that an unspecified number of people had been detained in London during the night. The operation was the culmination of a major covert counter-terrorist operation lasting several months, he added.
Following the arrests, security at all British airports was increased and additional security measures put in place for all flights. Britain has a five level rating for security threats, ranging from low to critical, which is the highest level.
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