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UK-US flight delays after 'bomb' UK-US flight delays after 'bomb'
(about 3 hours later)
Passengers on US-bound flights from Britain are facing delays and extra security measures after a man was charged with trying to blow up a plane.Passengers on US-bound flights from Britain are facing delays and extra security measures after a man was charged with trying to blow up a plane.
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a former UK student from Nigeria, is alleged to have hidden explosives in his clothes. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, targeted a Detroit-bound flight with explosives hidden in his clothes, it is claimed.
Police have been searching a number of central London properties in connection with the incident. Police are searching several London properties linked to the Nigerian ex-University College London student.
Travellers are undergoing "pat-down" searches before boarding and being restricted to one item of hand luggage.Travellers are undergoing "pat-down" searches before boarding and being restricted to one item of hand luggage.
US authorities introduced the measures, along with a ban on leaving seats in the hour before landing, after a man tried to ignite explosives as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam approached Detroit on Friday.US authorities introduced the measures, along with a ban on leaving seats in the hour before landing, after a man tried to ignite explosives as Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam approached Detroit on Friday.
He was overpowered by passengers before the device, understood to contain about 80g of high explosive, detonated.He was overpowered by passengers before the device, understood to contain about 80g of high explosive, detonated.
US FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airsideBA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggageCheck in wrapped presentsPassengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checksCustomers to remain seated during final hour of flightNo access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Father warned about 'jet bomber' 'Attack' raises fresh security fearsUS FLIGHT ADVICE Only one item of hand luggage, including items bought airsideBA and Virgin Atlantic not charging to check in extra hand luggageCheck in wrapped presentsPassengers subject to "pat-down" searches before boarding, on top of usual security checksCustomers to remain seated during final hour of flightNo access to hand luggage and a ban on leaving possessions or blankets on laps during this hour Father warned about 'jet bomber' 'Attack' raises fresh security fears
It is alleged that Mr Abdulmutallab spent about 20 minutes in the toilet before trying to set off a device moulded around his body, which had apparently passed undetected through airport checks.It is alleged that Mr Abdulmutallab spent about 20 minutes in the toilet before trying to set off a device moulded around his body, which had apparently passed undetected through airport checks.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC: "We've agreed with the US authorities' enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC: "We've agreed with the US authorities' enhanced search regimes for passengers on flights to and from the United States.
"They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances.""They will lead to delays in flights to the US, which I'm sure passengers will understand in the circumstances."
He said Britain would consider ramping up airport security, including having more air marshals on board.
UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers flying to the US would face increased searches before boarding and advised they leave extra time to check in.UK airport operator BAA confirmed that passengers flying to the US would face increased searches before boarding and advised they leave extra time to check in.
At London's Heathrow Airport, Sunday's early US-bound flights were delayed by about 45 minutes but a spokesman said things were going "as smoothly as could be expected". At London's Heathrow Airport, US-bound flights have been delayed by about an hour but a spokesman said things were going "as smoothly as could be expected".
Flights out of Manchester were delayed by up to two hours, although few travellers were complaining, said BBC reporter Nick Ravenscroft.
A British Airways spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised."A British Airways spokesman said: "We apologise to passengers for any delays to their journeys. Safety and security are our top priorities and will not be compromised."
Those flying out on Saturday praised the airline for sending text messages warning of the new rules in advance.Those flying out on Saturday praised the airline for sending text messages warning of the new rules in advance.
'Massive delays' 'Check-in strain'
However, Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent, told the BBC the extra checks were causing massive delays at a time when 25,000 people were leaving the UK on 100 daily US-bound flights. Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent, told the BBC about 25,000 people were leaving the UK on 100 daily US-bound flights.
"There's going to be more strain on the check-in desks, lots of people turning up at the airports don't know the new rule and of course there's lots of repacking," he said."There's going to be more strain on the check-in desks, lots of people turning up at the airports don't know the new rule and of course there's lots of repacking," he said.
Mr Calder added that if the pat-downs were extended to all flights, it would get "very slow in terms of processing people".Mr Calder added that if the pat-downs were extended to all flights, it would get "very slow in terms of processing people".
Mr Abdulmutallab is said to have been an engineering student at University College London between 2005 and 2008.Mr Abdulmutallab is said to have been an engineering student at University College London between 2005 and 2008.
But according to Whitehall sources he was denied a new visa this summer by the UK Border Agency after attempting to apply for a course at a bogus college.But according to Whitehall sources he was denied a new visa this summer by the UK Border Agency after attempting to apply for a course at a bogus college.
The plane was carrying 278 passengersThe plane was carrying 278 passengers
The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block where he is said to have lived in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, and other properties in the capital.The Metropolitan Police have been searching a flat at an apartment block where he is said to have lived in Mansfield Street, Marylebone, and other properties in the capital.
BBC reporter Helen Fawkes said that on Sunday morning 30 uniformed and plainclothes officers went into the flat, where officers had previously removed several items in clear plastic bags for examination. Officers have removed several items for examination, although the search is being scaled down as officers try to identify any of Mr Abdulmutallab's associates.
Police have indicated the search is being scaled down and officers will continue the "crucial" task of identifying Mr Abdulmutallab's associates, she added.
It has emerged that his father, a prominent Nigerian banker, flagged up to US authorities concerns about his son's extreme views.It has emerged that his father, a prominent Nigerian banker, flagged up to US authorities concerns about his son's extreme views.
The suspect may also have been on the radar of UK intelligence but did not cause American officials serious concern and so was not on the US no-fly list.The suspect may also have been on the radar of UK intelligence but did not cause American officials serious concern and so was not on the US no-fly list.
It is understood one of the British authorities' key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.It is understood one of the British authorities' key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.
In the US a federal judge has formally charged Mr Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy the Airbus A330 on Christmas Day.In the US a federal judge has formally charged Mr Abdulmutallab with attempting to destroy the Airbus A330 on Christmas Day.
The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns.The hearing took place in Mr Abdulmutallab's hospital room at the University of Michigan Medical Center where he is being treated for burns.
An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion."An affidavit filed in support of the charge stated: "As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion."