The British authorities say they averted mass murder in the skies by thwarting an alleged plot to blow up passenger planes bound for the United States.
U.S. counter terrorism officials said United, American and Continental airlines were targetted and the alleged plot involved 10 flights bound for New York, Washington and California. The Office of Homeland Security raised the warning level for all aviation in the U.S. to high. It also issued a red alert code for flights arriving from the U.K. for the first time since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. There were plans to carry liquid explosive and detonators, disguised as beverages, electronic devices or other common objects, onto flights from Britain to the U.S. There are ongoing delays and cancelled flights at the majority of international airports. Travellers are being advised that there are also long queues at security checkpoints and that they can only carry essential items onboard aircraft.