View source for Security repercussions due to the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot

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[[File:Heathrow.london.750pix.jpg|right|thumb|[[London Heathrow Airport]]]]

The '''2006 transatlantic aircraft plot''' was a [[Terrorism|terrorist]] plot to detonate [[Explosive material|liquid explosives]], carried aboard [[Airliner|airliners]] travelling from the United Kingdom to the United States and Canada, disguised as soft drinks. The plot was discovered by [[Metropolitan Police Service|British Metropolitan police]] during an extensive surveillance operation.  A number of security measures were taken in response to the [[2006 transatlantic aircraft plot]].

==United Kingdom==
Following the raids, the terror alert level was raised by Britain's [[Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre]] on 10 August 2006 from 'severe' to 'critical', signalling an attack was believed to be imminent.<ref name="MSNBC-plot">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14278216 |title=Details emerge on alleged plot to bomb airliners |work=[[NBC News]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref> Security at all British airports was raised to the highest level, with all property having to go into the aircraft's hold, except for 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.<ref name="BBC-advice">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778771.stm |title=At-a-glance: UK airports |work=BBC News|date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090205204831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778771.stm| archive-date= 5 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On 14 August 2006, the threat level was reduced from 'Critical' to 'Severe'.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Threat level lowered to 'Severe' |publisher=[[Home Office]] |date=13 August 2006 |url=http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/threat-severe |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327042820/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/threat-severe |archive-date=27 March 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> An announcement was made that the hand baggage rules would shortly be relaxed to permit the carrying of one small item of hand baggage, although the ban on all liquids remained.<ref name=dft20060810>{{cite web |date=10 August 2006 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_612280.hcsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060812035241/http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_612280.hcsp |archive-date=12 August 2006 |publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |title=Airline security |access-date=20 February 2009}}</ref> 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 security measures were "here to stay", at the end of September, under pressure from the flight industry and professional musicians, the British government relaxed the size restrictions to the aviation industry standard (56&nbsp;cm × 45&nbsp;cm × 25&nbsp;cm) and allowed musical instruments as hand luggage.<ref>{{cite news|first=Will |last=Woodward |date=14 September 2006 |title=Relaxation of plane hand luggage restrictions delights musicians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/sep/14/terrorism.theairlineindustry |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=The Guardian|location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109025617/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2006/sep/14/terrorism.theairlineindustry |archive-date=9 November 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=21 September 2006 |title=Hand luggage rules to be relaxed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5367096.stm |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726123753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5367096.stm |archive-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 November 2006 the restrictions were relaxed once again to allow limited volumes of liquids in the cabin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4789593.stm |title=Baggage advice for UK passengers |work=BBC News|date=14 November 2007 |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127032055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4789593.stm |archive-date=27 January 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2007, Transport Secretary [[Ruth Kelly]] announced that from 8 January 2008, British airports would 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".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7093795.stm |title=One-bag air travel rule relaxed |work=BBC News|date=14 November 2007 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

==United States==
Following the operation, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] banned all liquids and gels except baby formula and prescription medications in the name of the ticket holder in carry-on luggage on all flights.<ref name=fox20060810>{{cite news |title=Terror Threat: New Security Measures at U.S., UK Airports |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/terror-threat |access-date=21 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205102709/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207765,00.html |archive-date=5 February 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Homeland Security Advisory System|DHS level]] in the United States was raised to 'severe' (red) for all flights from the UK. The terror level for all other domestic or non-British international flights in the United States was raised to High (orange). According to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, President Bush was aware of the plot by 6 August and approved raising the alert on 9 August.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Press Gaggle by Tony Snow  |publisher=[[White House Press Secretary]] |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060810-2.html |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

==Other countries==
[[File:Eindhoven_Airport_liquids_disposed_2007.jpg|thumb|New liquid restrictions cause overflowing trash cans at [[Eindhoven Airport]], 2007]]
* Australia&nbsp;– Qantas began to implement tighter security checks, which would initially only apply to flights heading to the US and the UK, but Prime Minister [[John Howard]] mentioned that it could lead to a permanent ban of certain hand luggage in the near future.<ref name="Asian-airports">{{cite news |title=Asian airports tighten security |work=International Herald Tribune |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/11/news/web.0811asia.php}}</ref>
* [[Barbados]]&nbsp;– Plane traffic delays affected many airports across the world including the [[Grantley Adams International Airport]] located in Barbados.  After immediately instituting a policy of heightened security, the delays have affected many tourists including British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]'s attempts to cut his Caribbean holiday short and return to the United Kingdom.<ref name="CBC.bb">{{cite news|title=New security measures and long delays for international travelers at GAI |publisher=[[Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.evernetcorp.com/content/view/6845/10/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220123010/http://www.evernetcorp.com/content/view/6845/10/ |archive-date=20 February 2012 }}</ref>
* Belgium&nbsp;– The [[Federal Police Special Units|Belgian Federal Police]], coordinating its efforts with the British and French governments, increased security on the [[Eurostar]] rail line that connects London with Paris and [[Brussels]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=de Waard |title=Luchtverkeer ontregeld na Brits terreuralarm |work=[[de Volkskrant]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/article337956.ece/Grote_aanslag_op_negen_vliegtuigen_verijdeld |language=Dutch}}</ref>
* Canada&nbsp;– [[Transport Canada]], though unaware of any specific threat, nevertheless restricted all liquid and gel items from hand luggage on departing flights. Exceptions were made for approved baby formula and prescription medication. In addition, all passengers travelling to the United States were subject to having their footwear examined.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bank of England releases names of bomb plot suspects |publisher=[[CBC News]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bank-of-england-releases-names-of-bomb-plot-suspects-1.576542}}</ref>
* Finland&nbsp;– Finland's national airline [[Finnair]] cancelled two of its flights to London Heathrow on Thursday and one from Heathrow to Helsinki on Sunday, the remaining flights only had slight delays. Other airlines flying to and from Finland have experienced only delays. Passengers are forbidden to carry anything more than personal documents and wallets in flights to Britain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air Traffic Back to Normal After Terror Scare |publisher=[[YLE]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2006/08/air_traffic_back_to_normal_after_terror_scare_210142.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330025438/http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2006/08/air_traffic_back_to_normal_after_terror_scare_210142.html |archive-date=30 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Finnair London flights on schedule |date=14 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnair+London+flights+on+schedule/1135221053578 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930065111/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnair+London+flights+on+schedule/1135221053578 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Hong Kong&nbsp;– [[Airport Authority|Airport authority]] at the [[Hong Kong International Airport|Chek Lap Kok airport]] have advised passengers going to the United States to arrive three hours before their scheduled flight in order to pass through tighter security checks.<ref name="Asian-airports"/> Hong Kong Government reminds Hongkongers in the United Kingdom to keep abreast of latest developments and pay attention to personal safety.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Hong Kong residents reminded of personal safety in UK |publisher=[[Hong Kong Government]] |date=10 August 2006 |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200608/10/P200608100307.htm |access-date=20 February 2009}}</ref>
* India&nbsp;– Indian airports have been put under high alert and hand-baggage screenings have been tightened. Surveillance has also been stepped up. Incoming flights from the United Kingdom are facing delays due to greater checks.<ref name="Times-India">{{cite news |title=Indian airports put on high alert |location=India |date=11 August 2006 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-airports-put-on-high-alert/articleshow/1882642.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308235002/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-08-11/india/27793394_1_incoming-flights-mumbai-airport-official-indian-airports|url-status=live|archive-date=8 March 2012|work=[[The Times of India]] | access-date= 19 September 2006 <!--DASHBot-->}}</ref>
* Ireland&nbsp;– The National Civil Aviation Security Committee, which advises the [[Irish Government]], met to review the situation. [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Irish Minister for Transport]] [[Martin Cullen]] said there is no increased security risk at Irish airports.<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Dowling |author2=Treacy Hogan |title='Concern' but no plans to hike security |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=11 August 2006 |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/concern-but-no-plans-to-hike-security-82623.html |access-date=21 February 2009}}</ref>
* Japan&nbsp;– Though airport security was not heightened, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways began to strictly prohibit liquid items from its planes.<ref name="Asian-airports"/>
* Netherlands&nbsp;– The Dutch government said the UK terror plot would have no effect to the threat level in the country and would remain at "substantial" and "low" for [[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport|Schiphol]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dreigingsniveau Nederland blijft gelijk |publisher=[[RTL Nieuws]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |language=Dutch |url=http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2006/08_augustus/10/binnenland/0810_1345_dreiging_nederland.xml |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033456/http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2006/08_augustus/10/binnenland/0810_1345_dreiging_nederland.xml |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* New Zealand&nbsp;– Additional security restrictions were placed on passengers departing from New Zealand to the UK, and there were some flight delays; however, none were cancelled.<ref name="NZ-Herald">{{cite news |title=New Zealand passengers feel impact of UK alert |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10395667}}</ref> In order to maintain the heightened security, thirty-two extra security staff supported by sniffer dogs were brought in to man three extra security lanes at [[Auckland Airport]].<ref name="NZ-Herald-2">{{cite news |first=Claire |last=Trevett |title=Passengers' long haul before leaving the ground |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=12 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10395882}}</ref>
* Norway&nbsp;– The Norwegian government will not change the threat level and it remains at Low.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pst.politiet.no/PST/Templates/Article____551.aspx |title=Arrestasjoner i Storbritannia 10. august – uendret trusselnivå i Norge |publisher=[[Norwegian Police Security Service]] |access-date=20 February 2009 |language=Norwegian |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013225802/http://www.pst.politiet.no/PST/Templates/Article____551.aspx |archive-date=13 October 2008}}</ref>
* [[Pakistan]]&nbsp;– The Pakistani government made several arrests in response to the plot. Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam stated, "In fact, Pakistan played a very important role in uncovering and breaking this international terrorist network".<ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2006 |title=Britain Names Suspects as Pakistan Announces Arrests |work=Der Spiegel |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,431235,00.html |access-date=20 February 2009}}</ref>
* Philippines&nbsp;– Authorities at [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] have placed its airports on heightened alert. NAIA representatives have stated that all U.S.-bound flights have prohibited passengers from bringing liquid items on board.<ref name="Asian-airports"/>
* South Korea&nbsp;– The government has put [[Incheon International Airport]] on heightened alert following the foiled terrorist plot. All passengers are undergoing additional screening and all U.S.- and UK-bound flights are prohibited from carrying any liquids on flights. Furthermore, passengers en route to the US will have their belongings searched before boarding their flight. Korea's Civil Aviation Safety Authority of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation raised the security level from green (ordinary) to blue (concerned) and then to yellow (caution). A yellow alert indicates intelligence suggesting a threat to aviation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200608/200608110016.html |title=Incheon on Alert After London 'Foils' Terror Attack |work=[[The Chosun Ilbo]] |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070827054402/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200608/200608110016.html |archive-date = 27 August 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=11 August 2006 |title=Incheon Airport on High Alert |url=http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200608/kt2006081117395910220.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813213927/http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200608/kt2006081117395910220.htm |archive-date=13 August 2006 |work=[[The Korea Times]] |access-date=20 February 2009}}</ref>
* [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan)&nbsp;– Taipei heightened security measures on U.S.- and UK-bound flights.  All ROC airlines banned UK- and U.S.-bound passengers from taking "large carry-on luggage" on board. Liquids also had to be checked in, not carried on board.<ref>{{cite news |author=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |author-link=Deutsche Presse-Agentur |title=Taiwan airports tighten security on Britain, US-bound passengers |publisher=Monsters and Critics |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/printer_1188993.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128233400/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/printer_1188993.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2013 }}</ref>

==Hand luggage restrictions==

===United Kingdom===
Passengers travelling from<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thinkspain.com/news-spain/11647 |title=Spanish airport security controls bolstered |publisher=ThinkSpain |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref> and through all other UK airports were temporarily only permitted to carry-on those items on a restricted list, and these items had to be carried in [[Transparency (optics)|transparent]] [[plastic bag]]s. No liquids could be carried on board.<ref name=dft20060810/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/10/uk.terror.baa/index.html |title=BAA outlines new security measures |publisher=CNN |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref> Liquid medications, such as [[insulin]] for [[diabetic]]s, were banned, "unless verified as authentic." All [[laptop computer|laptops]], mobile phones, digital audio players and other [[Electronics|electronic]] items were also banned.<ref name="DFP">{{cite news|title=Main suspects in massive plane-bombing plot arrested |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820185926/http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060810%2FNEWS99%2F60810019 |archive-date=20 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/NEWS99/60810019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

It was suggested in ''[[The Times]]'' that the restrictions on hand baggage would be "enforced pending a decision from the [[National Aviation Security Committee]] following which they may be made permanent."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jenny |last=Booth |author2=Ben Webster, Sam Lister and Angela Jameson |title=Aviation chiefs may make liquids ban permanent |date=11 August 2006 |work=The Times |location=London |access-date=20 February 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1084355.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306073012/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1084355.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2007 }}</ref> This was confirmed by sources close to [[Douglas Alexander]], the Secretary of State for Transport, on BBC News.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778871.stm |title=Travel chaos grips UK's airports |work=BBC News|date=10 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

On 14 August 2006, an announcement was made that the restrictions on hand baggage for flights originating in the UK would shortly be liberalised to permit carriage of one small (45&nbsp;cm × 35&nbsp;cm × 16&nbsp;cm) piece of hand baggage per person. Whilst electronics, books, and other dry items were again permitted on flights leaving the UK, all liquids above 100ml remained banned in hand luggage.<ref name=dft20060810/>

On 2 November 2014, liquid restriction rules were eased.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-16645733 Cobalt Light Systems test technology for liquid explosives]</ref> However, as of current, some airports, including Stansted Airport and Manchester Airport, have added another restriction for travel bottle kits, stating that the bottle capacity must be printed or embossed on the bottles, with measurements on handwritten and sticker labels deemed insufficient and outright inadmissible to security.<ref>[https://www.stanstedairport.com/help/passenger-guides/security/ Stansted Airport Security Guide]</ref>

===United States===
Similar emergency restrictions were placed on airline passengers traveling within and from the United States. Initially, all liquids were forbidden, including beverages, hair gels, toothpaste, lipstick, sunscreen, and hand lotions, due to the suspicion that liquid chemicals were planned to be used in the explosive purposes.<ref name=fox20060810/> Electronic devices (iPods, laptops, etc.) were still allowed for domestic flights.<ref>{{cite news|first=Amber |last=Hunt |title=Electronics permitted onboard for US travel |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822012443/http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060810%2FNEWS99%2F60810025 |archive-date=22 August 2006 |access-date=20 February 2009 |date=10 August 2006 |url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060810/NEWS99/60810025 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====3-1-1 for carry-ons====
As of 26 September 2006, the [[Transportation Security Administration]] adjusted the ban on liquids, aerosols and gels. Travelers are permitted to carry liquids through security checkpoints in containers of 3.4&nbsp;ounces (100&nbsp;mL) or less that fit comfortably in one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag which need to easily seen through by the security agent. Each passenger can only bring along one plastic zip-top bag. For check-in baggage, there are no limits to the number of containers than can be packed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.luggagerate.com/toothpaste-on-a-plane/ |title=Can You Bring Toothpaste on a Plane? |date=22 April 2022 |publisher=[[Luggage Rate]] |access-date=22 April 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220424141844/https://www.luggagerate.com/toothpaste-on-a-plane| archive-date=24 April 2022| url-status= live}}</ref> This procedure came to be known as "3-1-1 for carry-ons" (3.4&nbsp;ounce containers in a 1 quart bag, 1 bag per passenger).  Items purchased in the restricted or transit areas after clearing security could be brought on board without restriction. Other exemptions to this restriction include medications and breast milk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm |title=Prohibited Items For Travelers |publisher=[[Transportation Security Administration]] |access-date=19 February 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225064012/http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm| archive-date=25 February 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>

===European Union===
On 10 October 2006 a [[European Union]] Regulation placed restrictions on carrying liquid materials in hand luggage across the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32006R1546:EN:HTML |title=Commission Regulation (EC) No 1546/2006 of 4 October 2006 amending Regulation (EC) No 622/2003 laying down measures for the implementation of the common basic standards on aviation security Text with EEA relevance |publisher=Eur-lex.europa.eu |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

This restriction was to be eased on 2 November 2014 with new RapidScan liquid explosive detectors, but the rules remain in effect across most EU airports.<ref>{{cite news |title=EU Abandons Plan to End Liquids Curbs in Air Travel in 2013 |website=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018175053/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-18/eu-abandons-plan-to-end-liquids-curbs-in-air-travel-in-2013.html |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=live |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-18/eu-abandons-plan-to-end-liquids-curbs-in-air-travel-in-2013.html}}</ref>

===Japan===

On 1 March 2007, The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also set out new regulations concerning the carriage of liquids in carry-on luggage for international flights.  Passengers traveling abroad from Japan are required to place liquid items with a capacity of up to 100ml into a transparent resealable bag not exceeding 20&nbsp;cm × 20&nbsp;cm.  Any liquid items exceeding 100ml in capacity are prohibited from being carried on board and must be placed in check-in baggage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/whats_new/070209.html |title=Restrictions on liquids as carry-on cabin baggage for international flights departing from Narita |publisher=[[Narita International Airport]] |date=1 March 2007 |access-date=19 February 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090225181220/http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/whats_new/070209.html |archive-date = 25 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Singapore===
On 8 May 2007, Singapore introduced new liquid restrictions, which is limited to 100ml for all flights (excluding Seletar Airport), where [[Changi Airport]] is the biggest airport with more frequent visitors and direct services. Liquids less than 100ml must be sealed into transparent resealable bag not exceeding 20&nbsp;cm x 20&nbsp;cm.

This restriction was eased on 2 November 2014.

===Other Countries===
Subsequently, similar restrictions for liquids in carry on luggage were set out in many other countries worldwide including Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and China who all set out liquid restrictions on international flights.

==Impact==
Overall, an estimated 400,000 passengers were affected because of the alerts. It has been estimated that the first day of delays cost the airlines over £175 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen |first=Nick |title=Prosecutors pursued retrial to justify liquids ban |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=8 September 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152046/WITH-LEGAL-Prosecutors-pursued-retrial-to-justify-liquids-ban.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912072004/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152046/WITH-LEGAL-Prosecutors-pursued-retrial-to-justify-liquids-ban.html |archive-date=12 September 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As many as 20,000 bags are believed to have been misplaced at Heathrow in the days following the flight cancellations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4797569.stm |title=BA back to normal 'in 48 hours' |work=BBC News|date=16 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

===Flight cancellations ===
Some inbound flights to [[London Heathrow Airport]] were cancelled on the day of the arrests, most notably the Thursday short-haul flights of British Airways. Some flights to and from [[London Gatwick Airport]] were also suspended,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778871.stm |title=Travel chaos grips UK's airports |work=BBC News|date=10 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813140413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778871.stm |archive-date=13 August 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> 
[[File:IMG 2558 Tents exterior Heathrow 14&nbsp;august 2006.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Tents on the car park in front of terminal 4. Heathrow, 14 August]]

On Sunday 13 August 30% of flights out of Heathrow were cancelled to reduce pressure on the screeners.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nick |last=Mathiason |author2=Oliver Morgan and Rob Sharp |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/aug/13/theairlineindustry.terrorism |title=BA criticises Heathrow as travel mayhem grows |work=The Observer |location=London |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506093002/http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/aug/13/theairlineindustry.terrorism |archive-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> By 15 August flight cancellations had fallen to 47 flights at Heathrow, and 8 Ryanair flights from Stansted.  It was anticipated that cancellations would reduce on 16 August, with 90% of flights expected to depart as scheduled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4795821.stm |title=10,000 bags misplaced at airports |work=BBC News|date=15 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

===Controversy over the alert===
On 12 August a public argument broke out between [[BAA plc|BAA]], the operator of Heathrow and other airports, and [[British Airways]], with [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]], BA's Chief Executive, accusing BAA of not being able to cope with the increased security and baggage checks. [[Ryanair]] also called on the British government to employ police and military reservists to speed up the full body searches which were now mandated, with Chief Executive [[Michael O'Leary (Ryanair)|Michael O'Leary]] saying:

{{blockquote|Ryanair and other major UK airlines cannot keep cancelling flights and disrupting the travel plans of tens of thousands of British passengers and visitors solely because the BAA cannot cope with the new body search requirements. If the British government is serious about defeating terrorism and/or not allowing the terrorists to disrupt normal everyday British life, then it must provide the additional security staffing, either police or army reserve personnel, immediately to prevent London's main airports from grinding to a halt over the coming days.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airports may 'grind to a halt' |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23363468-details/Airports+may+'grind+to+a+halt'/article.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421123154/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23363468-details/Airports+may+'grind+to+a+halt'/article.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2013 |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=21 February 2009 |work=[[Evening Standard]] }}</ref>}}

On 18 August Ryanair's O'Leary delivered an ultimatum to the British government demanding the resumption of normal hand baggage dimensions and hand screening one passenger in four instead of one in two within one week, otherwise Ryanair would sue the Government for compensation under section 93 of the [[Transport Act 2000]]. The government responded that the actions were taken under the Aviation Security Act 1982, and no compensation was payable.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5261908.stm |title=Ryanair issues security ultimatum |work=BBC News|date=18 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009}}</ref>

Several pilots complained about the "ridiculous" luggage restrictions that was thought up by "utter morons", the [[Sunday Herald]] reported. Carolyn Evans, head of flight safety at the British Airline Pilots Association, said, "the procedures put in place are not sustainable long term, and unless the passengers are treated more reasonably we will not have an industry left".<ref>[http://www.sundayherald.com/57459 Are we really at risk from snacks on a plane?], [[Sunday Herald]], 20 August 2006  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831211531/http://www.sundayherald.com/57459 |date=31 August 2006 }}</ref>

===Economic effects===
''[[The Times]]'' commented the day after the arrests, that the economic effects were minor and that the [[FTSE 100]] index showed only "mild signs of strain", suggesting that terror was already priced into assets, that the market impact will be contained, and that "what is lost on the swings may be gained on the roundabouts". It observed that the real commercial risk is that "people's behaviour is altered... change may come so subtly and subconsciously that it is hard to see, let alone measure… people may stop travelling for example, not because they are scared of being blown up, but because they are tired of complying with necessary security measures."<ref>{{cite news|title=Terror may already be priced into values |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article606276.ece |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=The Times |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112029/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article606276.ece |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=dead |first1=Philippe |last1=Naughton |first2=Adam |last2=Sage}}</ref>

Estimates have also been made of the cost to airlines of their disrupted business.
British Airways had to cancel 1280 flights, at a cost of £40 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 September 2006 |title=BA says terror alert cost it £40m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5316920.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107004704/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5316920.stm |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ryanair are suing the UK government for the £3.3 million the cancellations cost them.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 August 2006 |title=Ryanair to sue government for £3m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5285102.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829154637/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5285102.stm |archive-date=29 August 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> Easyjet had to cancel 469 flights, at a cost of about £4 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=7 September 2006 |title=Security alert cost Easyjet £4m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5323082.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917022800/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5323082.stm |archive-date=17 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> BAA says the alert cost them £13 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 September 2006 |title=BAA says terror alert cost £13m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5338080.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917023007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5338080.stm |archive-date=17 September 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Civil Aviation Authority has just commenced its five-yearly review of operation of the airport, and it is likely that BAA's ability to handle the security alert will now become part of that review.<ref name="Independent_Costs">{{cite news |first=Saeed |last=Shah |author2=Susie Mesure |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/travel-chaos-may-prompt-claim-by-ba-against-heathrow-411974.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/travel-chaos-may-prompt-claim-by-ba-against-heathrow-411974.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Travel chaos may prompt claim by BA against Heathrow |work=The Independent|location=London |date=15 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The combined airline losses may have totalled £250 million.<ref>{{cite news |first=Steve |last=James |date=22 August 2006 |title=UK terror scare: Airlines threaten legal action against British government |url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/aug2006/terr-a22.shtml |access-date=21 February 2009 |publisher=[[World Socialist Web Site]]}}</ref>

Air passengers also switched to other means of travel. Sea France ferry company operating from Dover to Calais announced that it had beaten its all-time record for number of passengers carried in one week,{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} while Eurostar found that at the peak of the alert it was receiving 10 bookings per minute for immediate travel.<ref name="Independent_Switching">{{cite news|title=Airport meltdown: Airlines attack BAA over its handling of terror crisis, saying it 'cannot cope' |work=The Independent|location=London |date=13 August 2006 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airport-meltdown-airlines-attack-baa-over-its-handling-of-terror-crisis-saying-it-cannot-cope-411679.html |access-date=19 February 2009 |first=Simon |last=Calder |author-link=Simon Calder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027192934/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airport-meltdown-airlines-attack-baa-over-its-handling-of-terror-crisis-saying-it-cannot-cope-411679.html |archive-date=27 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other consequences===
* [[BAA plc|BAA]] advised passengers not to travel to Heathrow unless their journey was "essential", and long delays were expected for outbound passengers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778771.stm |title=At-a-glance: UK airports |work=BBC News|date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090204222857/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778771.stm| archive-date= 4 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
* Houses in and around Walton Drive in [[High Wycombe]], where one house was raided, were evacuated.<ref>{{cite news|title=Homes cleared in anti-terror raid |work=BBC News|date=10 August 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4780697.stm |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212222206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4780697.stm |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Airport security repercussions due to the September 11 attacks]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{US War on Terror}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transatlantic Aircraft Plot Security Reaction}}
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in the United States]]
[[Category:Failed airliner bombings]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom in 2006|Transatlantic aircraft plot security reaction]]
[[Category:2006 in England|Transatlantic aircraft plot security reaction]]
[[Category:2006 in the United Kingdom|Transatlantic aircraft plot security reaction]]
[[Category:War on terror]]
[[Category:Counterterrorism]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in the United States in 2006]]
[[Category:2006 in the United States]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Canada in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Europe in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in North America in 2006]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006]]