The terrorists planned to blow up at least six planes in mid-flight between the United States and Great Britain using explosives smuggled in on their hand luggage, according to British Home Secretary John Reid. United, American and Continental Airlines were targeted in the planned attack.
British authorities discovered the plan and arrested 21 Islamic terrorists in London who were involved in the 9/11-style plot. The attacks could have caused deaths in the range of those killed by terror group Al-Qaeda on the World Trade Center and Pentagon nearly five years ago.
Reid said the plot was to be a major event, with operatives planning to “bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosion, causing a considerable loss of life.”
Israeli officials immediately canceled all flights on the Tel Aviv–London route, as did many other international airlines, in the face of the security threat.
Passengers were advised to postpone their trips unless they were "essential" and to allow for extra time at the airport due to stringent security checks. Carry-on luggage was banned, with the exception of personal items such as prescription medications, money, keys, glasses and baby equipment. Severe delays were reported at many United Kingdom airports.
The United States and Britain both raised their security threat status to “severe red alert.” The U.S. government also raised the general alert for all flights entering and leaving the country.
“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,” said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
British authorities discovered the plan and arrested 21 Islamic terrorists in London who were involved in the 9/11-style plot. The attacks could have caused deaths in the range of those killed by terror group Al-Qaeda on the World Trade Center and Pentagon nearly five years ago.
Reid said the plot was to be a major event, with operatives planning to “bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosion, causing a considerable loss of life.”
Israeli officials immediately canceled all flights on the Tel Aviv–London route, as did many other international airlines, in the face of the security threat.
Passengers were advised to postpone their trips unless they were "essential" and to allow for extra time at the airport due to stringent security checks. Carry-on luggage was banned, with the exception of personal items such as prescription medications, money, keys, glasses and baby equipment. Severe delays were reported at many United Kingdom airports.
The United States and Britain both raised their security threat status to “severe red alert.” The U.S. government also raised the general alert for all flights entering and leaving the country.
“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,” said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.