BWIA clears cellphones

Moreso, the restriction of passengers’ hand-held luggage to just see-through bags only applies to flights involving the UK and US, but not to other destinations.

Strict security measures have been put in place at airports for passengers travelling to the UK and US after British police foiled a terror plot to place bombs on as many as ten passenger jets bound for the US. The police detained 24 people, whose financial assets have since been frozen.

BWIA corporate communications manager Dionne Ligoure yesterday assured that BWIA was still operating all its usual flights including those to the UK and US.

“We experienced some minor delays due to minor congestion at the airport,” she said. She did admit that BWIA passengers were undergoing an upgraded system of security checks.

“Out of Piarco and Crown Point airports every person will be subject to additional security checks that the Civil Aviation Authority has mandated which are along similar lines to the directives of the Department of Transport (of the UK) and the Department of Homeland Security (of the US).”

But passengers on BWIA flights to all destinations will be subject to the same restrictions on their hand-luggage now being enforced globally.

Yesterday the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT) issued a statement spelling out the restrictions applying to all persons travelling through Piarco and Crowne Point Airports.

“Travellers will be required to remove footwear to allow for comprehensive physical searches.”

Passengers should arrive at the airport three hours before check-in, said the AATT, appealing for their cooperation in this heightened security state.

“Passengers will not be allowed to carry on board the aircraft as part of their hand luggage any liquids or gels such as soda, water, juice, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste and other similar items.” See page 21

The AATT said passengers can carry on board baby formula, expressed breast milk or juice if a baby or small child is travelling with an adult.

The passenger can also carry prescription medicine which matches the name on his ticket, plus insulin and essential non-prescription medicines.

The AATT thanked the travelling public for their cooperation as the authority tries to ensure their safety and security during travel.