Security Detonates Backpack; Groups Plan More Demonstrations

Queen Elizabeth will be on hand Friday at London Heathrow Airport to officially open British Airways' new Terminal Five... and we imagine security will be tighter than ever, particular after a rash of breaches by environmental groups.

Reuters reports Thursday, a man thought to be connected with environmental protestors sprinted out onto Heathrow's north runway carrying a bag, the second major security breach in a month.

Police confirmed the incident happened about 2:05pm, and said the man is in custody. His bag was detonated as a precaution, but was found to contain no explosives.

Protestors seeking to roll back or completely eliminate airline flights over Europe have targeted Heathrow, where Terminal Five, a planned sixth terminal, and a planned third runway have made the airport a prominent symbol of growth in air travel.

As ANN reported, last month protestors exploited a faulty security door to gain access to a parked passenger jet, climbed atop it, and unveiled a banner across its tail.

Airport security has been a sensitive point with officials since 2006, when they say they foiled a plot to smuggle explosives aboard a transatlantic flight. Environmental activists say more protests, and more embarrassing moments for security at Heathrow, are planned.

For the time being, however, a spokesman for the Queen says she'll be there today as scheduled. Terminal Five will welcome its first real passengers on March 27th.

FMI: www.heathrowairport.com