Gadgets banned from UK airports following terror alert

iPods, laptops and mobile phones no go

10 August 2006 11:20 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Air travellers were being stripped of their electronic devices at UK airports this morning following a failed terror plot announced by Scotland Yard.

Passengers have been banned from carrying any hand luggage on board flights, including mobile phones, iPod's and laptops.

In a statement on its website, British Airways said, along with all other airlines, that it was experiencing major disruption to its operations at London Heathrow following the introduction of new security arrangements.

BAA has said that passengers who do decide to travel from any UK airport, may only take Travel documents essential for the journey (e.g., passports, tickets and visas), pocket-sized wallets and pocked-sized purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards and identity cards), prescribed medicines essential for the duration of the flight, spectacles and sunglasses, without cases and contact lenses without bottles of solution.

For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk and sanitary items essential for the flight are allowed however food and drink will have to be tasted by the accompanying passenger in front of security.

Every other item must be carried in customer’s hold luggage.

For clarity, BAA is saying that passengers are advised that no electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, iPods, remote controls and electronic key fobs can be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.

It added that all passengers on flights to the United States would be subject to a secondary search at the boarding gate.

Noboby has yet announced how long this ban will be enforced.