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British Terror Plot Brings Heightened Security to Airports Across Canada

Posted on: Thursday, 10 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

By ALLISON JONES

TORONTO (CP) - Heightened security measures were put in place at Canadian airports Thursday after an alleged terror plot at London's Heathrow Airport was uncovered.

Passengers were told not to carry any liquids on board aircraft departing from Canadian airports destined to the United States and the United Kingdom. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority said the only exceptions were baby formula, breast milk or juice if a baby or small child is travelling.

Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket and non-prescription medicine such as insulin were also permitted.

Passengers boarding flights to the U.S. were also requested to remove footwear for additional screening. Footwear of passengers with disabilities and elderly passengers who cannot remove their footwear were to be checked by trace detection equipment.

It was not clear how long the heightened security measures would be in place.

Scott Armstrong, of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority which manages Pearson International Airport, said passengers were advised to arrive early for security screening and to be patient.

Peter Spurway, spokesman for Atlantic Canada's largest airport, said two flights with connections to Heathrow would be affected by the heightened security.

He said he would be surprised if one inbound flight from the U.K. actually made it Thursday.

The Halifax International Airport Authority was to decide later in the day whether a return overnight flight out of Halifax would be grounded.

British police said they thwarted a plot to plant bombs in carry-on luggage on up to 10 flights bound for the United States. At least 20 people were arrested.

Authorities immediately began enforcing strict new regulations banning most hand baggage and virtually all liquids on British flights.

While the scene at Heathrow was chaotic, it was business as usual at Pearson, Canada's busiest airport, Thursday morning.

Passengers removed liquids from their carry-on bags and placed them in their main luggage and duty free services were closed.

But there were no unusual lineups during the normally busy morning departure period.

One Air Canada flight from London's Heathrow's airport to Toronto left on time early Thursday. Another 11 flights from London to Canada were expected to be at least an hour late.

Source: Canadian Press

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