Following this mornings police action, the Department for Transport have asked all UK airports to apply additional security measures designed to ensure passenger safety. These measures will prevent passengers from carrying hand luggage into the cabin of an aircraft with the following excepts (which must be placed in a plastic bag):

• 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 (e.g. 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)
• 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)

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 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, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.  Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

BAA wish to stress that these are precautionary measures. During the next few days airports will be extremely busy, therefore only those intending to fly should come to the airport.  Passengers are also asked to use public transport to get to and from the airport wherever possible.

Passengers are asked to be patient while these additional security measures are put in place. Delays are likely and passengers are therefore asked to allow extra time for their journey.

Source: BAA
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