IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ALL PASSENGERS - THURSDAY 10 AUGUST - update 07.50

Passengers are being advised to expect major disruption at all UK airports this morning. This follows an overnight change to the UK's aviation security level.

PLEASE NOTE - with immediate effect NO hand-baggage will be allowed on aircraft. Only certain essential items will be allowed into the cabin - provided they are contained in transparent plastic bags, which will be issued at airports. All other items are required to be packed into hold baggage and checked-in on arrival at the airport.

Unfortunately the airline expects significant delays throughout the day and there are likely to be cancellations as a result of these extraordinary circumstances. Passengers booked on cancelled flights will be entitled to a refund or may transfer their flight to a later date free of charge.

Passengers should allow extra time for their journeys and are being asked for patience as airlines and airports implement the new arrangements.

Passengers and cabin baggage

The following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

With immediate effect all cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items.

Nothing may be carried in pockets:

• pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
• travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
• prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
• spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
• contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
• for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
• female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
• tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
• keys (but no electrical key fobs)

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened. Any activation of the archway metal detector must be fully resolved. Formal NSM protocols are suspended with immediate effect to free up staff resources for passenger searching duties.

However, any items rejected by the x-ray screener must be hand searched and subject to trace detection where available.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only
airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.