Aug 10, 2006 9:07 am US/Pacific
LAX Flights 'Not Yet' Disrupted By Terror Plot
Security Screening Expected To Take Longer
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
Los Angeles International Airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles says the terror plot in London and subsequent cancellation of many flights from Europe has "not yet" caused any disruptions at LAX, but security screenings were expected to take longer than normal.
Police in Britain said they broke up an airliner terror plot that authorities said was intended to be "mass murder on an unimaginable scale."
At least 21 alleged plotters were arrested. Authorities, ordering intense precautions, said planes bound for the U.S. were targeted.
Two U.S. counter-terrorism officials identify the airlines targeted by the alleged terrorist plotters in Britain as United, American and Continental.
There was no immediate announcement on which U.S.-bound flights had been targeted for in-flight destruction as part of the plot reported in Britain.
Five airlines operate 20 daily non-stop flights between London-Heathrow International Airport and LAX -- Air New Zealand, American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airlines.
Security measures at LAX are being beefed up even though officials have no information specifically naming any Southland airport as a terror target, said Nancy Castles, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that operates LAX, Ontario and Van Nuys airports.
Because of the increased security, including in Britain, passengers bound for London-Heathrow Airport and people meeting passengers from London should check with airlines to verify flight times before coming to LAX, she said.
Additionally, passengers should come to LAX between two and three hours early for domestic flights and between three to four hours ahead of time for international flights, Castles said.
"Due to the intensified security screening, security screening process is expected to take considerably longer than normal," she said.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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