Sun, Feb 01, 2004
New Security Threat Cited
British Airways and Air France, both
believed to have been targeted by terrorists in late December for
possible hijackings, canceled seven flights to the US over the
weekend, amid new fears that their aircraft would be used as guided
weapons to destroy targets in America.
BA canceled four flights between London's Heathrow Airport and
Washington Dulles on Saturday and a flight from London to Miami on
Sunday. Air France canceled two flights from Paris to
Washington.
"We remain concerned about al-Qaeda's desire to target aviation,
especially international aviation," said Homeland Security
Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse. "The US intelligence
community continues to gather specific credible threat information
on international flights, as we have done in an ongoing basis in
the past few weeks. We have shared this information with our
international partners, and will work with them to put in place the
appropriate security measures."
BA, Air France and a US carrier that flies overseas have all
been targets of interest by potential hijackers, according to
another government source, who spoke on the condition of
anonymity.
A British Transport spokesman, also speaking on the condition he
not be named, said the decision to cancel the flights was made "in
the light of information received. Aviation security measures are
adjusted from time to time, and occasional cancellations may be
necessary. The first priority is always the safety of the traveling
public."
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