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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
[[File:2006-08-10 police raid walthamstow london uk-NOISEedit.jpg|thumb|190px|right|Police at the scene of one of the raids, on Forest Road, [[Walthamstow]], London]]
The '''2006 transatlantic aircraft plot''' was a [[Terrorism|terrorist]] plot to detonate [[Explosive material|liquid explosives]], carried aboard [[airliner]]s travelling from the [[United Kingdom]] to the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], disguised as soft drinks.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bob |last=Sherwood |author2=Stephen Fidler |title=MI5 tracked group for a year |work=Financial Times |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cbed2e12-28b5-11db-a2c1-0000779e2340.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026170433/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cbed2e12-28b5-11db-a2c1-0000779e2340.html |archive-date=26 October 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> The plot was discovered
Of 24 suspects who were arrested in and around London on the night of 9 August 2006, eight were tried initially for terrorism offences associated with the plot. The first trial occurred from April to September 2008. The jury failed to reach a verdict on charges of conspiracy to kill by blowing up aircraft but did find three men guilty of conspiracy to murder and acquitted one other of all charges.
During July 2010, a further three of the accused were found guilty at a third trial at [[Woolwich Crown Court]] of conspiracy to murder.<ref name=BBC12710>{{cite news|title=Would-be suicide bombers jailed for life |date=12 July 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10600084.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711220841/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10600084.stm |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, of the nine men tried, two were acquitted and seven found guilty of conspiracy charges.
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The plotters planned to use [[organic peroxide|peroxide]]-based [[Explosive material|liquid explosives]];<ref name="BBC-disrupted"/> the Metropolitan Police said that the plot involved [[acetone peroxide]], (TATP),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/19/terrorism.world |title=Five key questions for anti-terror investigation |work=The Guardian |___location=London |date=19 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |first=Sandra |last=Laville |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224030453/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/aug/19/terrorism.world |archive-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> which is sensitive to heat, shock, and friction, and can be initiated with fire or an electrical charge, and can also be used to produce improvised detonators.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Brian |last=Bennett |author-link=Brian T. Bennett |author2=[[Douglas C. Waller|Douglas Waller]] |date=10 August 2006 |title=Thwarting the Airline Plot: Inside the Investigation |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1225453,00.html |access-date=18 February 2009 |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121220545/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1225453,00.html |archive-date=21 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.electronpusher.org/?p=517 |work=Electronpusher |title=Practical Chemistry |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726022111/http://www.electronpusher.org/?p=517 |archive-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2009}}
During the trial of the conspirators, the prosecution stated that each bomber would board a plane with the "necessary ingredients and equipment". They would then construct the devices mid-flight and detonate them. The hydrogen peroxide would be placed in {{cvt|500
A second substance, a type of high explosive, would be hidden within an [[AA battery]] casing; this small explosive charge would detonate the main bomb. The charge would be detonated by linking the bottle of explosives to a light bulb and a [[disposable camera]]. The charge from the camera's flash unit would trigger the explosion.<ref name="BBC airliners plot">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7329221.stm |access-date=18 February 2009 |title='Airliners plot': The allegations |date=3 April 2008 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009132853/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7329221.stm |archive-date=9 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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* Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] was on holiday during these events, but decided not to return to the UK. Blair had been notified of the raid prior to its occurrence, and kept in constant contact with officials. He briefed President [[George W. Bush]] about the raid overnight.<ref>{{cite web|title=PM pays tribute to police and security services |publisher=[[10 Downing Street]] |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page9970.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207223530/http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page9970.asp |archive-date=7 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, [[John Prescott]], running the UK government during Tony Blair's holiday, paid tribute to the way the UK reacted to what he called an "extraordinary past 36 hours… in the efforts to protect this country". He expressed his "deepest appreciation" to the "real dedication" shown by security services, police, transport staff and aviation companies and praised Home Secretary, John Reid, and [[Secretary of State for Transport|Transport Secretary]] [[Douglas Alexander]]. Prescott added that the British public had acted "calmly, sensitively and with great patience."<ref>{{cite news|title=Police quiz terror plot suspects |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4783141.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910212551/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4783141.stm |archive-date=10 September 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 12 August, British Muslim groups sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, stating that "current British government policy risks putting civilians at increased risk both in the UK and abroad."<ref name="UK Muslim letter">{{cite news|title=Full text: Muslim groups' letter |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4786159.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404040043/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4786159.stm |archive-date=4 April 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The letter also stated "Attacking civilians is never justified", and encouraged the UK to reassess its foreign policy in order to maintain the safety of individuals both in the UK and abroad. In interviews with the BBC the following day, [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|John Reid]] (then [[Home Secretary]]) described the letter as "a dreadful misjudgement", and former [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] leader [[Michael Howard]] described it as "a form of blackmail".<ref name="Muslim letter reaction">{{cite news|title=Muslim letter 'misjudged' – Reid |work=BBC News |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4788133.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203235219/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4788133.stm |archive-date=3 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Scepticism in response to the arrests===
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Technology news website ''[[The Register]]'' explored the practicalities of producing [[TATP]] on board a plane from constituent liquids and concluded that, while theoretically possible, the chances of success would be extremely low. Later, following additional details revealed at the trial, ''The Register'' wrote that the plot and bombing method chosen were viable.<ref>{{cite news|first=Thomas C. |last=Greene |date=17 August 2006 |title=Mass murder in the skies: was the plot feasible? |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/ |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[The Register]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203161439/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/ |archive-date=3 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Page|first=Lewis|title=Yes, there was a viable liquid bomb plot|url=https://www.theregister.com/2008/09/10/liquid_bomb_verdicts/|access-date=2020-11-27|website=www.theregister.com|language=en}}</ref>
Lieutenant-Colonel Nigel Wylde, a former senior British Army Intelligence Officer, declared the plot to be "fiction", an invention of the UK security services intended to justify new security measures that threatened to permanently curtail civil liberties. He said the explosives in question could not possibly have been produced on the plane.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nafeez |last=Ahmed |author-link=Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed |date=16 September 2006 |title=Sources: August terror plot is a 'fiction' underscoring police failures |url=http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Sources_August_Terror_Plot_Fiction_Underscoring_0918.html |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[The Raw Story]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208194823/http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Sources_August_Terror_Plot_Fiction_Underscoring_0918.html |archive-date=8 December 2008 }}</ref><ref>IOL.co.za: [http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1157375162381B226 British bomb-plot suspects appear in court] {{
==Security repercussions==
{{Main|Security repercussions due to the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot}}
[[File:Heathrow Terminal 5 airside 020.JPG|right|thumb|[[London Heathrow Airport]]]]In the immediate aftermath of the first arrests, passengers were forbidden from carrying any liquids, apart from baby milk, onto flights between the United States and the United Kingdom. Since passengers could purchase beverages after passing airport security checkpoints in some American airports, gate checkpoints were also introduced at such airports.<ref>{{cite news|title=Romney activates National Guard for Logan Airport – Boston.com |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/10/romney_to_activate_national_guard_for_logan_airport/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724201342/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/08/10/romney_to_activate_national_guard_for_logan_airport/ |archive-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2009 }}</ref>
{{As of|2025|lc=n}} passengers are still not allowed to carry liquid containers larger than {{cvt|100|mL|USfloz}} onto commercial aircraft in their [[hand luggage]] in many airports around the world. However as airports install advanced [[CT scan|computed tomography]] (CT) scanners, those restrictions are gradually being removed or relaxed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lindsay |first1=Jessica |title=Airport liquid rules are changing — which ones are scrapping the 100ml limit? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/29/airport-liquid-rules-changing-across-europe-ones-scrapping-100ml-limit-23774520/ |access-date=11 August 2025 |work=Metro |publisher=Associated Newspapers Ltd |date=29 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
===United Kingdom===
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Overall, an estimated 400,000 passengers were affected because of the alerts. It has been estimated that the first day of delays cost the airlines over £175 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen |first=Nick |title=Prosecutors pursued retrial to justify liquids ban |work=The Daily Telegraph |___location=London |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=8 September 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152046/WITH-LEGAL-Prosecutors-pursued-retrial-to-justify-liquids-ban.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912072004/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/6152046/WITH-LEGAL-Prosecutors-pursued-retrial-to-justify-liquids-ban.html |archive-date=12 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As many as 20,000 bags are believed to have been misplaced at Heathrow.<ref>{{cite news|title=BA back to normal in 48 hours |work=BBC News |date=16 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4797569.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228200915/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4797569.stm |archive-date=28 December 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
A 2022 article offers an assessment of the impact of Operation Overt and refers to Rashid Rauf's alleged role <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/02/liquid-bomber-plot-counterterrorism-international-cooperation-526246| title = How the U.S., U.K. and Pakistan Teamed Up To Stop Another 9/11 - POLITICO| website = [[Politico]]| date = 2 January 2022}}</ref>
===Flight cancellations===
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[[File:IMG 2558 Tents exterior Heathrow 14 august 2006.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Tents on the car park in front of terminal 4. [[Heathrow]], 14 August. Erected to give people a place to stay while waiting for their flight to depart]]
A few hours after the beginning of the confusion, aircraft began to fly out of London Heathrow, although in reduced numbers. The situation remained chaotic with long queues of passengers waiting to check-in and get through the strengthened security procedures. Some aircraft were reportedly leaving Heathrow with only transit (i.e., connecting passengers hence already screened elsewhere though not for the {{cvt|100
On Sunday 13 August 30% of flights out of Heathrow were cancelled to reduce pressure on screeners.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nick |last=Mathiason |author2=Oliver Morgan |author3=Rob Sharp |title=BA criticises Heathrow as travel mayhem grows |work=The Observer |___location=London |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/aug/13/theairlineindustry.terrorism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506093002/http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2006/aug/13/theairlineindustry.terrorism |archive-date=6 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 15 August flight cancellations had fallen to 47 flights at Heathrow, and 8 Ryanair flights from Stansted. It was reported by BA that 10,000 items of baggage belonging to their passengers had gone missing. It was anticipated that cancellations would reduce on 16 August, with 90% of flights expected to depart as scheduled.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bags misplaced at Airports |work=BBC News |date=15 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4795821.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722081717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4795821.stm |archive-date=22 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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On 12 August a public argument broke out between [[BAA plc|BAA]], the operator of Heathrow and other airports, and [[British Airways]], with [[Willie Walsh (Irish businessman)|Willie Walsh]], BA's Chief Executive, accusing BAA of not being able to cope with the increased security and baggage checks. [[Ryanair]] also called on the British government to employ police and military reservists to speed up the full body searches which were now mandated.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryanair calls for reservists to speed up checks. |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=14 August 2006 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16380023_ITM |access-date=8 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020035729/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16380023_ITM |archive-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Three days later on 12 August
On 18 August Ryanair's CEO, [[Michael O'Leary (businessman)|Michael O'Leary]] delivered an ultimatum to the British government demanding the resumption of normal hand baggage dimensions and hand screening one passenger in four instead of one in two within one week, otherwise Ryanair would sue the Government for compensation under section 93 of the [[Transport Act 2000]]. The government responded that the actions were taken under the Aviation Security Act 1982, and no compensation was payable.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryanair issues luggage ultimatum |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5261908.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215085622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5261908.stm |archive-date=15 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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==External links==
===UK press===
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm
* [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/ Mass murder in the skies: was the plot feasible?]
===International press===
* [https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-10-britain-terror_x.htm British police thwart alleged major terrorist plot]
* [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0810/terror1.html 24 questioned after prevention of terror plot]
* [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10395577
{{US War on Terror|state=collapsed}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Transatlantic Aircraft Plot}}
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