HK-London flights take off as planned
As flights to London from other countries were cancelled, airlines in Hong Kong were continuing to route planes to Heathrow last night, after passengers on some flights had to repack their hand luggage.
Six flights - three Cathay, two British Airways and one Virgin Atlantic - flew to London last night or early this morning.
Only British Airways banned passengers transiting at London airports from carrying hand luggage. Other airlines simply advised passengers against it, suggesting they check in their carry-on bags.
Responding to the increase in security at US airports, the Hong Kong Airport Authority advised travellers to the US to check in three hours before flights and not carry any liquid or gel on board.
But local authorities said they had no immediate plan to boost security measures or raise the terror alert level from moderate, saying it was up to individual airlines to put security measures in place.
'There is no specific intelligence to suggest that Hong Kong is likely to be a target for terrorism,' a police spokesman said. However, he added that police would liaise with overseas law enforcement and intelligence agencies and regularly review security arrangements at the airport, on public transport systems and at major infrastructure facilities.
The Security Bureau last night issued a warning to Hong Kong residents travelling to the UK 'to keep themselves abreast of the developments there and pay attention to personal safety'.
A Cathay spokeswoman said more than 600 passengers flying in from the UK were affected yesterday and more than 1,000 on its four flights from the UK today were also expected to be affected.
Passengers at Chek Lap Kok yesterday said they thought the British Airport Authority's decision to ban hand luggage could be a potential nightmare - especially for businesspeople and the parents of small children.
However, most said they would be prepared to do whatever it took for the sake of security.
Tourist Marit Haug, 24, flying back to Norway with her mother last night after a 10-day visit to Hong Kong, was due to transit through Heathrow this morning.
'When we checked in, they [British Airways] gave us a bag and we were only allowed to take our travel documents, credit cards and money. It was very troublesome,' she said. 'Everything had to be done in a hurry and seemed quite chaotic. We're not even allowed to carry water with us.'
British Airways staff handed out small plastic bags to transit passengers and asked them to place items they were allowed to take on board inside.
Helplines
British Airways & Qantas 2822 9000 (office hours)
Cathay Pacific 2747 1888 (recorded message)
Virgin Atlantic 2532 6060 until 6.30pm, then 2186 2186
