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US Raises Air Security Alert to Red for First Time

Posted on: Thursday, 10 August 2006, 06:05 CDT

By Todd Eastham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government raised the security alert on passenger planes to its highest level for the first time on Thursday after Britain said it had foiled a plot to blow up flights to the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it was taking an unprecedented step by raising the threat level for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom to "severe," or red.

The threat level for all other commercial aircraft operating in or destined for the United States would be raised to "high," or orange, from "elevated," or yellow, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement.

The threat level for the country as a whole remained at yellow, according to the department's Web site.

Homeland Security took immediate steps that included barring passengers from carrying liquids, including beverages, hair gels and lotions, on planes. It said travelers in both countries should expect long delays.

A British police source said the plot was believed to involve a "liquid chemical" device.

"Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States," the statement released by the DHS press office said.

A DHS official decline comment on a report by the Associated Press that United Airlines, Continental Airlines and American Airlines had been specifically targeted for attack.

TRANSATLANTIC THREAT

British police said they had thwarted a plot to blow up aircraft in mid-flight between Britain and the United States and were holding 21 people in connection with the plot. The arrests were made in the London and Birmingham areas.

In response, Britain's security services raised its threat level to "critical" from "severe," the highest of its five ratings, suggesting "an attack is expected imminently."

"Currently, there is no indication ... of plotting within the United States," Chertoff said. "We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted."

"Consistent with these higher threat levels, the Transportation Security Administration is coordinating with federal partners, airport authorities and commercial airlines on expanding the intensity of existing security requirements.

"Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant," the statement said.

"Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints," it said, and travelers in both countries were told to expect long delays. The changes took effect at 4 a.m. EDT.

Chertoff, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller were to hold a news conference in Washington on the security situation from 8 a.m. EDT.

Stock markets in Europe were lower in response to the security scare, led by European airline shares. British Airways shares were down 3.8 percent in morning trading.

Source: REUTERS

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