2006 Transatlantic Aircraft Plot Security Reaction - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Following the raids, the terror alert level was raised by Britain's Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre from 'severe' to 'critical', signalling an attack was believed to be imminent, although this was only done after the raid. Security at all British airports was raised to the highest level, with all luggage having to go into the aircraft's hold (including books, newspapers, and glasses cases). In the immediate aftermath, no hand luggage (carry-on luggage) was allowed except for a very few essentials such as travel documents and wallets. Passengers travelling with small children were permitted to carry baby food but had to taste it in front of staff.

On 14 August 2006, the threat level was reduced from 'Critical' to 'Severe'. An announcement was made that the hand baggage rules would shortly be alleviated to permit carriage of one small item of hand baggage, although the strict ban on liquids remained in place. Hand baggage was reintroduced at some smaller airports on 14 August, but was not permitted at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports until 15 August.

Despite having made it clear in August that the unprecedented security measures were "here to stay", at the end of September, upon pressure from the industry representatives and professional musicians, the British government relaxed the restrictions on size to the aviation industry standard (56 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm) and allowed musical instruments as carry-on luggage.

On 6 November 2006 the restrictions were relaxed once again to allow limited amounts of liquids in the cabin.

In November 2007, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced that from 8 January 2008, British airports will be able to allow more than one item of hand luggage on board. This was following criticism in October by the shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, who said that because of the restrictive rules, Heathrow was "rapidly becoming a national embarrassment". Chief executive of British Airways Willie Walsh was also critical, saying that they are "damaging the UK's reputation around the world from a business perspective".