Summer terror alert for UK travellers

Last updated at 14:28 31 July 2003


Security at UK airports has been stepped up after American CIA officials warned Al Qaeda could be planning to hijack an aircraft in a similar attack to the September 11 atrocities.

MI5 has been briefed on the possibility of an attack on UK interests and has ordered all British airports to be alert to the new threat until at least September.

Earlier this week, the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) issued a memo outlining the risk of a new attack: 'The plan may involve the use of five-man teams, each of which would attempt to seize control of a commercial aircraft either shortly after take-off or before landing at a chosen airport. This type of operation would preclude the need for flight-trained hijackers.'

The memo also warns that hijackers 'may attempt to use common items carried by travellers such as cameras, modified as weapons'.

Airlines across the Atlantic have already enforced stricter screening of passengers and European carriers are now also increasing security.

The latest information was developed from recent interviews with Al Qaeda members held by the United States and interception of communication by intelligence services. In spite of the latest warnings, there are no plans to increase the terror alert level. It currently stands at yellow indicating an 'elevated' risk of attack.

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