Britain expanded security checks on air cargo today after a failed bomb plot last week, saying shipments on some flights from Asia and the Middle East would be screened in Britain before being dispatched elsewhere.
The government announced the decision after Transport Secretary Philip Hammond met aviation and freight industry representatives to discuss freight security after a US-bound parcel bomb from Yemen was intercepted in Britain last week.
"Any cargo shipments on the following routes, which might previously have been exempt from screening, will now be subject to the appropriate security measures before transferring onwards," the Department for Transport said.
It listed nearly 50 routes from Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Sudan and Thailand to British airports, operated by airlines British Airways, Bmi, Emirates, Etihad, Jet, Kingfisher and Pakistan International Airlines.
A Department for Transport spokesman said the flights included some cargo and some passenger flights.
He declined to say why the measure was being taken. Cargo is exempted from screening in Britain when there is a recognised screening procedure in place in the country of origin. The new measures take effect immediately.
Agencies