Heathrow Closed to Most European Flights

LONDON – London’s Heathrow airport was closed to most European flights Thursday morning following a heightened terrorist alert, officials said.

The closure on incoming traffic at Europe’s busiest airport applied to flights of three hours or less, affecting most incoming flights from Europe, an airport spokesman said on condition of anonymity in line with airport policy.

British Airways said all of its short-haul flights to and from Heathrow, both to European and British destinations, had been canceled at least until mid-afternoon.

Italian carrier Alitalia also canceled morning and afternoon flights to London.

Congestion was building up rapidly at Heathrow as authorities enforced strict new regulations banning most hand baggage.