• Home

UK-bound travellers told to expect delays due to strict security

A spokesperson for British Airways (BA) said that at the moment, they have not sent a travel advisory to their passengers travelling from Dubai to London as the flights remain unaffected.

“However, we are experiencing delays to some of our operation and would urge customers to check www.ba.com (BA's official web site) for latest updates before travelling to the airport," the spokesperson said.

BA also confirmed that business is as usual for them in the UAE and that they “envisage this policy continuing,” further reiterating that passengers are advised to check the web site for updates regarding the situation.

International media reports noted that all UK airports, have been put under restrictions after the Scotland Yard yesterday thwarted a plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US, which would have caused a "mass murder on an unimaginable scene."

In a random enquiry among travel agents in Dubai, Khaleej Times learned that most agencies have not received formal advisories from airlines regarding cancellations of UK-bound flights. However, Binu Justus, General Manager of International Travel Services (ITS), said that passengers had been calling to inquire about the situation.

“Passengers have been calling since 11am today (August 10), inquiring about the bomb threats at Heathrow Airport in the UK. Some of them have opted to cancel their flights while a few requested that their flights be re-routed,” Justus said.

He added that towards the late afternoon yesterday, they received an advisory from Virgin Atlantic Airways, which noted that passengers could encounter delays when flying through the UK. “This applies to all passengers, including transit,” Justus said.

Khaleej Times was able to also get hold of an e-mail that SNTTA Travel and Tours LLC sent out to its business associates, informing them that as per the recent guidelines of the UK Department for Transport, “passengers are not allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK. Only the barest essentials — including passports and wallets — will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.”

The travel agency also informed their associates that BA has advised that passengers who do not wish to fly on Thursday (August 10), “could rebook on flights leaving over the next two weeks.”

The Virgin Atlantic Airways web site has also listed a number of security guidelines that the department is implementing.

“Virgin Atlantic advises its customers to ensure that only items complying with the Department for Transport requirements are carried on board aircraft. All other items must be placed in checked baggage or left behind,” the web site mentioned.

There are four daily flights to Heathrow Airport from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad Airways flies twice a day while Qatar Airways and Gulf Air each have a daily flight which departed as per schedule.

Airport Authority adopted strict precautionary security measures after receiving instructions from the Civil Aviation Authority, Britain, by not allowing handcarry baggage with the passengers. Etihad Airways’ both the flights EY 301 and EY 303, departed as per schedule to the terminal 3 of the Heathrow Airport.

• UAE