US, UK Intensify International Airport Security Amid Bomb Concerns

Local Editor

The British government has confirmed on Wednesday night that security is being tightened at its airports after US officials raised fears about terrorists in Syria and Yemen developing explosives that could be smuggled on to planes.

UK's Department for Transport said on Wednesday night it would "step up some of our aviation security measures" following the warning from US security chiefs.

Moreover, the US Department of Homeland Security said "enhanced security measures" would be implemented in the next few days at "certain overseas airports with direct flights into the United States."

US officials cited concerns that al-Qaeda operatives in Syria and Yemen were developing bombs that could be smuggled onto planes.

The main concern is that militant groups could try to blow up US- or Europe-bound planes by concealing bombs on foreign fighters carrying Western passports who spent time with extremist factions in the region, the sources said.

It did not specify which airports or what countries would be affected, nor did it say what triggered the extra precautions.

Earlier, law enforcement and security officials said the United States and European authorities were discussing measures that could include installation of additional bomb-detection machines.

"We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry," DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement.
Johnson said he directed the Transportation Security Administration to implement the measures in the coming days. Some of the new measures would involve additional inspections of passengers' shoes and property, a US official said.

The new security measures would be required at airports in Europe, Africa and the Middle East that have direct flights, said US officials.

Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, the deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said he hoped disruption at airport security would be minimal.

Furthermore, security experts said the heightened security measures did not necessarily mean the US was acting on intelligence of a specific bomb plot.

Information suggesting increased threats can be wrong and is the subject of debate among intelligence officials.

Meanwhile, Heathrow airport in London declined to comment on the new security measures. British Airways could not be reached for comment. Virgin Atlantic said: "We don't comment on operational security matters."

Sources: News Agencies, Edited by website team