re. travelling through UK airports

[Guest guest]

> If you can avoid travelling through UK airports all the better, if you

> have no choice, then be thoroughly prepared for security at these

> airports.

 

Indeed.

 

The following is an official notice from the British government's Department

for Transport. It may be of interest to any of you who may be flying soon

from London.

 

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Following the police action on 10 August, security at all UK airports has

been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for

all flights.

 

With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers

starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between

flights at a UK airport.

 

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold

of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

 

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single

(ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, ONLY the following items. Nothing

may be carried in pockets:

 

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 (eg 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) and 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.

 

There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

 

Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are

being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that

other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are

placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

 

These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for

passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are

necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly

secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by

the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light

of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the

travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully

with airport security staff and the police.

 

If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in

place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.

 

 

Related information on other websites:

Taking essential medicines on flights in the current security situation

Information from the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.