British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has unveiled a raft of new UK airport security measures in light of the planned Christmas Day 2009 mid-air explosion. These include the creation of a list of passengers banned from flying to UK airports, and more rigorous airport security checks in some instances. There will also be no more flights between the UK and Yemen for the time being.

A comprehensive review of the way security issues are handled at British airports was ordered by Prime Minister Brown in the aftermath of the unsuccessful transatlantic flight bombing, which is thought to have been conceived in Yemen. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (January 20th), the PM stressed that the present list of terrorist or potential terrorists kept by the Home Office (the branch of the British Government that deals with immigration and security issues) would be added-to, so as to incorporate details of suspects “posing the greatest risk” to UK security.

This will be supplemented by a brand new “no-fly list”, which will catalogue those that – through perceived links to terrorism – will be barred from entering the UK.

Airport Security Checks: UK

A second grouping of individuals not considered high-risk enough to be stopped from travelling here altogether will also be established and, in their case, will be put through airport security checks prior to travelling to the UK, although we don’t yet know how, or to what degree.

The Prime Minister added that the Home Office’s e-borders programme will include every major UK airport and seaport by December 2010. Once implemented, this will compel passengers purchasing tickets to disclose in-depth personal data, which will be cross-examined in connection with watchlists.

Up until January 20th, there was a twice-weekly airline service between Yemen and London Heathrow Airport, courtesy of the carrier Yemenia. This has now been suspended, indefinitely. “We have agreed with Yemenia Airlines - pending enhanced security - that they suspend their direct flights to the UK from Yemen with immediate effect”, Mr Brown said. “We are working closely with the Yemeni Government to agree what security measures need to be put in place before flights are resumed. I hope that flights can be resumed soon, but the security of our citizens must be our priority.”

Security at UK Airports

As a result of the terrorist events of Christmas Day, UK airport operating group BAA announced on January 4th that London Heathrow would be receiving full body scanners as a means of boosting security there. Addressing this issue yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed that these will arrive at the UK’s flagship airport in coming days. They will be joined by enhanced explosive detection equipment, and this will be installed to boost security at many other UK airports too. The roll out date for this is not yet known, but is expected to take place within the next 12 months.