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{{short description|Foiled terrorist plot in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{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 by British [[Metropolitan Police]] during an extensive surveillance operation. As a result of the plot, unprecedented security measures were initially implemented at airports. The measures were gradually relaxed during the following weeks, but {{As of|2025|lc=y}}, passengers were still not allowed to carry liquid containers larger than {{cvt|100|mL|USfloz}} onto commercial aircraft at most airports around the world.
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. In September 2009, a second trial (of the now seven originally accused but with the addition of another man) found three men guilty of conspiracy to kill by blowing up aircraft and one other guilty of conspiracy to murder, while the 'additional' man was exonerated of all terrorism charges.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8242238.stm |title='Three guilty of airline bomb plot' |date=7 September 2009 |work=BBC News |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710154805/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8242238.stm |archive-date=10 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.
==Surveillance==
In [[Pakistan]], a British man from [[Birmingham]] named [[Rashid Rauf]] is believed to have put plotters in touch with [[al-Qaeda]]'s leadership.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gordon |last=Corera |author-link=Gordon Corera |date=8 September 2008 |title=Bomb plot – the al-Qaeda connection |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7606107.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=17 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711122334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7606107.stm |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> When Abdulla Ahmed Ali, who was being surveilled by police, returned from Pakistan in June 2006, investigators covertly opened his baggage. Inside they found a powdered soft drink—[[Tang (drink)|Tang]]—and a large number of [[Electric battery|batteries]], which raised suspicions; in the following weeks the police mounted the UK's largest surveillance operation, calling on an additional 220 officers from other forces.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
Assad Sarwar (from [[High Wycombe]]) was seen buying items that did not seem consistent with his daily needs. On one occasion surveillance officers watched him dispose of empty [[hydrogen peroxide]] bottles at a recycling centre. Sarwar and Ali were seen meeting in an east London park. When [[MI5]] covertly entered a flat being used by Ali, they found what appeared to be a [[bomb]] factory. They installed a camera and [[microphone]] and on 3 August, Ali and Tanvir Husain were filmed constructing devices out of drink bottles. Surveillance officers later watched Ali spend two hours in an [[Internet cafe]] researching flight timetables.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dominic |last=Casciani |date=9 September 2008 |title=Airline urges liquids review after trial |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7564184.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=17 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512170936/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7564184.stm |archive-date=12 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Arrests==
On 9 August 2006, British police arrested 24 people for questioning. The arrests were made in London, [[Birmingham]], and [[High Wycombe]], Buckinghamshire, in an overnight operation. Two of the arrests were made in the Birmingham area and five were made in High Wycombe; firearms officers were not involved in the arrests.<ref name="BBC-suspects">{{cite news|title=Homes cleared in anti-terror raid |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4780697.stm |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212222206/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/4780697.stm |archive-date=12 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The key suspects were British-born [[Muslims]], some of [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani descent]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Philip |last=Webster |author2=Sean O'Neill |author3=Stewart Tendler |date=11 August 2006 |title=A Plan 'to commit unimaginable mass murder' |work=The Times |___location=London |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article606341.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110222012903/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article606341.ece |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Cowell |author-link=Alan Cowell |author2=[[Dexter Filkins]] |date=10 August 2006 |title=British Authorities Say Plot to Blow Up Airliners Was Foiled |work=The New York Times |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/world/europe/11terrorcnd.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120502164409/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/world/europe/11terrorcnd.html| archive-date=2 May 2012| url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="BBC-disrupted">{{cite news|title='Airlines terror plot' disrupted |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778575.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412095843/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778575.stm |archive-date=12 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Three of the suspects were recent [[Religious conversion|converts]] to [[Islam]].<ref name="BBC-suspects2">{{cite news|title=Who are the terror plot suspects? |work=BBC News |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4783215.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203235552/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4783215.stm |archive-date=3 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Eight of the suspects were later charged with conspiracy to murder and commit acts of terrorism, a further three with failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism, and one youth with possession of articles related to a terrorist act. Others were released without charge.<ref name=natta20060828 />
Police said they had been observing the plot evolve for months, and that the "investigation reached a critical point" on the night of 9 August 2006 when the decision was made to take urgent action in order to disrupt possible execution of the plot.<ref>{{cite news|title=Police and ministers' statements |work=BBC News |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4778817.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417211115/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4778817.stm |archive-date=17 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> An [[Undercover operation|undercover]] British agent had infiltrated the group, according to [[CNN]] sources.<ref>{{cite news|title=Agent infiltrated terror cell, U.S. says |date=11 August 2006 |publisher=CNN |access-date=17 February 2009 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125024951/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |archive-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Franco Frattini]], the [[European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom & Security]], "the plotters received a very short message to 'Go now' ", while British officials denied any explicit message existed.<ref name=natta20060828>{{cite news |first=Don Jr. |last=Van Natta |author2=[[Elaine Sciolino|Sciolino, Elaine]] |author3=[[Stephen Grey|Grey, Stephen]] |date=28 August 2006 |title=Details Emerge in British Terror Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/28/world/europe/28plot.html |access-date=7 February 2009 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> However, it was not clear when the attacks were planned to have been begun, and the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' has since reported that the plans were at an earlier stage than had been stated initially.<ref name=natta20060828/>
British authorities performed a total of 69 searches of residences, businesses, vehicles and open spaces, which found possible bomb-making equipment and chemicals including hydrogen peroxide, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said on 21 August 2006. "As well as the bomb-making equipment, we have found more than 400 computers, 200 [[mobile telephones]] and 8,000 items of removable storage media such as [[Memory Stick]]s, CDs and DVDs," he said. "So far, from the computers alone, we have removed some 6 [[terabyte]]s of data." It will take "many months" for investigators to analyse all of the data, he said.<ref name="CNN-08-22">{{cite news|date=22 August 2006 |title=Air plot suspects appear in court |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.terror/index.html |access-date=17 February 2009 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022075746/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.terror/index.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Police said they found a list of flights on a memory stick belonging to Mr. Ali after his arrest. The memory stick listed scheduled flights from three carriers – [[American Airlines]], [[United Airlines]] and [[Air Canada]].<ref name="BBC airliners plot"/>
===Disagreement over when to make the arrests===
[[NBC News]] reported disagreement between the United States and the United Kingdom over when to make the arrests. According to NBC News, a senior British official contended that an attack was not imminent, noting that the suspects had not yet purchased [[airline ticket]]s and some did not even have passports; he had urged that the investigation continue to collect more evidence.<ref name=msnbc14320452>{{cite news|first=Aram |last=Roston |author2=[[Lisa Myers]] |author3=the NBC News Investigative Unit |title=Source: U.S., U.K. at odds over timing of arrests |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14320452 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421010043/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14320452/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 April 2014 |date=14 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[NBC News]] }}</ref>
The same source also told NBC News that the United States had threatened to use [[extraordinary rendition]] on suspected ringleader [[Rashid Rauf]] in Pakistan, or to pressure the [[Pakistan Government|Pakistan government]] to arrest him. A United States official acknowledged disagreement over the timing of arrests and that British officials had believed that an attack was not imminent. However, [[Frances Townsend]], Assistant to the President for [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]], denied the report of a dispute: "There was no disagreement between US and UK officials."<ref name=msnbc14320452/>
In [[Ron Suskind]]'s book ''[[The Way of the World (book)|The Way of the World]]'' (2008), Vice President [[Richard Cheney|Dick Cheney]] is reported to have "ordered" the arrest of Rauf in Pakistan in August 2006, as an attempt to provide "good news" prior to the [[2006 United States elections|US 2006 mid-term elections]].<ref name=Jenkins8909>[[Simon Jenkins]], ''The Guardian'', 8 September 2009, [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/sep/08/bomb-plot-trial-war-on-terror This trial tells us it's policing, not war, that stops terrorists] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911064644/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/sep/08/bomb-plot-trial-war-on-terror |date=11 September 2009 }}</ref>
==Terrorist plot==
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|mL|USfloz}} plastic bottles of the [[Oasis (drink)|Oasis]] and [[Lucozade]] soft drinks. A sugary drink powder, [[Tang (drink)|Tang]], would be mixed with the hydrogen peroxide to colour it to resemble a normal soft drink.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} Hydrogen peroxide is widely available for use as hair bleach and along with the other ingredients can become explosive if mixed to a specific strength. The mixture would be injected into the bottles with a syringe. The bottle's cap would not have been removed and the hole would have been resealed, thereby allowing the device to resemble a normal, unopened drink bottle when screened by airport security.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The use of liquid explosives with dissolved powder is similar to the composition used in the [[21 July 2005 London bombings]], using [[hydrogen peroxide]] and [[chapati]] flour, activated by a [[detonator]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6687311.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Bomb would have been 'devastating'], 9 July 2007, accessdate: 8 February 2016</ref>
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>
On 28 August 2006 the ''New York Times'' reported that seven [[martyrdom tape]]s made by six suspects were recovered.<ref name=natta20060828/> This number was not confirmed by the prosecution during the subsequent trial.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}
===Flights targeted===
Prosecutors at the court hearing said that the suspects had talked about including 18 suicide bombers and that they had examined [[Denver]], [[Boston]], and Miami as possible flight destinations to target along with the following flights, details of which they had put on [[USB flash drive]]s.<ref name=TargetsCBC />
[[File:2006 Transatlantic plot flights.png|thumb|300px| right| Targeted flights]]
All flights were departures from [[London Heathrow Airport]], London.
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[United Airlines]] Flight 931 to [[San Francisco International Airport|San Francisco Airport]], California departing at 14:15 on a [[Boeing 777]]
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Air Canada]] Flight 849 to [[Lester B. Pearson International Airport|Pearson Airport]], Toronto, Ontario, Canada departing at 15:00 on an [[Airbus A330]]
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Air Canada]] Flight 865 to [[Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport|Trudeau Airport]], Montreal, Quebec, Canada departing at 15:15 on an Airbus A330
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[United Airlines]] Flight 959 to [[O'Hare International Airport|O'Hare Airport]], Chicago, Illinois departing at 15:40 on a Boeing 777
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[United Airlines]] Flight 925 to [[Dulles International Airport|Dulles Airport]], Washington, D.C. departing at 16:20 on a Boeing 777
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[American Airlines]] Flight 131 to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport|JFK International Airport]], [[New York City]] departing at 16:35 on a Boeing 777
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[American Airlines]] Flight 91 to [[O'Hare International Airport|O'Hare Airport]], Chicago, Illinois departing at 16:50 on a Boeing 777<ref name=TargetsCBC>{{cite news|title=Montreal, Toronto flights targeted in alleged British bomb plot |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/montreal-toronto-flights-targeted-in-alleged-british-bomb-plot-1.747225 |access-date=18 February 2009 |date=3 April 2008 |publisher=[[CBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214092421/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/montreal-toronto-flights-targeted-in-alleged-british-bomb-plot-1.747225 |archive-date=14 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Responsibility===
There was speculation in the UK that the [[Islamic fundamentalism|militant Islamic]] organisation [[al-Qaeda]] could be organizing the plot, which, it was claimed, was scheduled to occur only weeks after the group threatened to attack British aviation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Police say foil plot to bomb aircraft |publisher=Reuters UK |access-date=10 August 2006 |url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-08-10T070221Z_01_L10215465_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SECURITY-BRITAIN.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210141429/http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-08-10T070221Z_01_L10215465_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SECURITY-BRITAIN.xml |archive-date=10 December 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2017}} One of the suspects' martyrdom video was taken from a [[fatwa]] by [[Osama bin Laden]].<ref name="natta20060828" /> [[United States Department of Homeland Security]] (DHS) Secretary [[Michael Chertoff|Chertoff]] stated the plot, which was "getting close to the execution phase", was "suggestive of an al-Qaeda plot".<ref name="CNN-SecurityChief">{{cite news|title=Security chief: Airline terror plot 'close to execution' |publisher=CNN |access-date=10 August 2006 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825054344/http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |archive-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In their martyrdom tapes, the suspects quoted from the [[Quran]], claimed they were seeking revenge for the [[foreign policy]] of the United States, and "their accomplices, the U.K. and the Jews" and hoped God would be "pleased with us and accepts our deed." It also called upon other Muslims to join [[jihad]], and justified the killing of innocent civilians in [[Western Countries|Western countries]].<ref name="natta20060828" />
===Alleged Pakistani involvement===
Press reports claimed that the bombers were funded by "charities" intended to help victims of the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Lironi |date=13 April 2006 |title=Quake aid ripped off |url=http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17553723&method=full&siteid=64736&headline=quake-aid-ripped-off--name_page.html |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[Sunday Mail (Scotland)|Sunday Mail]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207064703/http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_objectid%3D17553723%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D64736%26headline%3Dquake-aid-ripped-off--name_page.html |archive-date=7 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> The FBI and Scotland Yard investigated links to militants and the flow of money to the conspirators.<ref>{{cite news|first=Carol |last=Eisenberg |date=16 August 2006 |title=Quake relief funneled? |url=http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usterr164852987aug16,0,184116.story |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=Newsday |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628053804/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usterr164852987aug16%2C0%2C184116.story |archive-date=28 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Pakistan and international press also reported that Rashid Rauf had links with the [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]], a [[Kashmir]] militant group banned by several countries.<ref>{{cite news|title=Air-plot suspect left Pakistan group for Al Qaeda |date=16 August 2006 |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/16/news/suspect.php |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=International Herald Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020005308/http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/16/news/suspect.php |archive-date=20 October 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Plane plot' man linked to Islamic militant group |date=17 August 2006 |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/index.aspx?c=ireland&jp=cwqlcwojmhoj |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[Irish Examiner]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204113558/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/index.aspx?c=ireland&jp=cwqlcwojmhoj |archive-date=4 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Media reports state that he has close family ties to [[Maulana Masood Azhar]], one of the most wanted criminals in [[India]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Jessica |last=Carsen |date=16 August 2006 |title=Exclusive: A Kashmiri Tie to the Terror Plot |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1227651,00.html |access-date=18 February 2009 |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122025207/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1227651,00.html |archive-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In Pakistan, law enforcement authorities interrogated Rashid Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani descent, over his alleged key role in the plot. Pakistani Interior Minister [[Aftab Khan Sherpao]] said British police were conducting inquiries in Pakistan but were not involved in questioning Rauf.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news|title=Air plot suspects appear in court |date=22 August 2006 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.terror/index.html |access-date=18 February 2009 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022075746/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/08/22/uk.terror/index.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The UK Foreign Office sought Rauf's extradition from Pakistan, and it was reported that Pakistan planned to accept the request.<ref>{{cite news|first=Syed Irfan |last=Raza |date=1 September 2006 |title=Govt decides to hand over Rauf to UK |url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/01/top11.htm |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205123747/http://www.dawn.com/2006/09/01/top11.htm |archive-date=5 December 2008 }}</ref> However, in mid-December 2006, terrorism charges against Rauf were dropped by a Pakistani judge, who ruled there was a lack of evidence. Rauf's case was transferred from a terrorism court to a regular court where he was charged with lesser crimes including forgery.<ref>{{cite news|title=UK 'plot' terror charge dropped |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6175427.stm |date=13 December 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |publisher=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124123140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6175427.stm |archive-date=24 January 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The charges were later dismissed. Rauf was reported killed in a US [[Drone strikes in Pakistan|drone attack in Pakistan]] in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ismail Khan |author2=Jane Perlez |title=Airstrike Kills Qaeda-Linked Militant in Pakistan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/world/asia/23rauf.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=3 July 2022 |date=22 Nov 2008}}</ref>
==Public announcement==
On 10 August 2006, British [[Home Secretary]] [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|John Reid]], broke the news, along with [[Douglas Alexander]], the Transport Secretary.<ref name="Reid statement">{{cite news|title=Parties 'united' over terror plot |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4778713.stm |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906112707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4778713.stm |archive-date=6 September 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> The same day, [[Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Deputy Commissioner]] of the [[Metropolitan Police]], [[Paul Stephenson (police officer)|Paul Stephenson]], said that a plot, intended to destroy as many as ten aircraft in mid-flight from the United Kingdom to the United States using explosives brought on board in the suspects' [[luggage#Hand luggage|hand luggage]], had been disrupted.<ref name="BBC-disrupted"/> News media reported that planned targets included [[American Airlines]], [[British Airways]], [[Continental Airlines]], and [[United Airlines]] flights from [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] and [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]] airports to Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles; Miami; Orlando; Boston; Newark; New York City; San Francisco; Cleveland and Washington, D.C.<ref name="MSNBC-plot">{{cite news|title=Details emerge on alleged plot to bomb airliners |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date=20 February 2009 |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14278216 }}</ref> [[Air Canada]] flights were also included, with destinations being [[Montreal]] and [[Toronto]]. [[BBC]] security correspondent [[Gordon Corera]] said the plot involved a series of simultaneous attacks, targeting three planes each time.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite news|title='Airlines terror plot' disrupted |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216211421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm |archive-date=16 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Reports vary regarding the number of planes involved, ranging from three to twelve.<ref name="NY Times">{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Cowell |author-link=Alan Cowell |author2=[[Dexter Filkins]] |title=British Authorities Say Plot to Blow Up Airliners Was Foiled |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 February 2009 |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/world/europe/11terrorcnd.html| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120502164409/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/10/world/europe/11terrorcnd.html| archive-date=2 May 2012| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sandra |last=Laville |author2=[[Richard Norton-Taylor]] |author3=Vikram Dodd |title='A plot to commit murder on an unimaginable scale' |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/11/politics.usa1 |work=The Guardian |___location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224030447/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/aug/11/politics.usa1 |archive-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a press release, the [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security]], [[Michael Chertoff]], said "multiple commercial aircraft" were targeted.<ref name="DHS-Chertoff">{{cite press release |title=Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Announcing a Change to the Nation's Threat Level for the Aviation Sector |publisher=[[United States Department of Homeland Security]] |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1158349923199.shtm |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106053831/http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1158349923199.shtm |archive-date=6 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some reports say the attacks were planned for 16 August, but police said no evidence of any specific date had been found.<ref name="TIMES-focus">{{cite news|title=Focus: Terror in the skies |work=The Times |___location=London |access-date=19 February 2009 |date=13 August 2006 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article607604.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622072843/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article607604.ece |archive-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=dead |first1=Anushka |last1=Asthana |first2=Jill |last2=Sherman }}</ref> British officials later stated that the estimate of ten aircraft was "speculative and exaggerated."<ref name=natta20060828/>
In the United States, the announcement was made during a joint press conference by the Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, the [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Alberto Gonzales]], the Administrator of the [[Transportation Security Administration]] [[Kip Hawley]] and the Director of the [[FBI]], [[Robert Mueller]]. Chertoff refused to be drawn on questions about the design of the devices or whether any bombs had actually been built.<ref name="DHS-Chertoff"/>
On the same day, President George W. Bush commented upon arrival in [[Wisconsin]]: "The recent arrests that our fellow citizens are now learning about are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with [[Islamofascism|Islamic fascists]] who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation."<ref>{{cite press release|title=President Bush Discusses Terror Plot Upon Arrival in Wisconsin |publisher=[[White House Press Secretary]] |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060810-3.html |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023030829/http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060810-3.html |archive-date=23 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Prior to the arrests, the plot had been discussed at the highest levels of government; Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] had known about it for months, and had discussed it with President [[George W. Bush]] on a number of occasions.<ref name="guardianforewarn">{{cite news|first=Patrick |last=Wintour |author-link=Patrick Wintour |title=Blair forewarned Bush of terror threat to US airlines |work=The Guardian |___location=London |date=11 August 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/11/politics.usa |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819034532/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/aug/11/politics.usa |archive-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Responses==
* 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===
Several commentators expressed [[scepticism]] over the allegations.<ref>{{cite news|first=Sandra |last=Laville |title=Five key questions for anti-terror investigation |date=19 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/19/terrorism.world |work=The Guardian |___location=London |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><ref>{{cite news |first=Judith |last=Latham |title=London Terror Plot: Skepticism Surrounding Handling of the Crisis |date=16 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-18-voa21.cfm |publisher=[[Voice of America]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090825230524/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-18-voa21.cfm |archive-date = 25 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many mentioned the [[2 June 2006 Forest Gate raid|Forest Gate raid]], the shooting of [[Jean Charles de Menezes]] and the [[Iraq War]], all based on [[Intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]] that turned out to be wrong, as reasons for their doubts.<ref>{{cite news|first=Paul |last=Donovan |date=14 August 2006 |title=Scepticism is needed |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/aug/14/pauldonovan |work=The Guardian |___location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204043230/http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/aug/14/pauldonovan |archive-date=4 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Sean |last=O'Neill |author2=Stewart Tendler |date=12 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |title=Past blunders put pressure on police to make case stick |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article606828.ece |work=The Times |___location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224025949/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article606828.ece |archive-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan [[Craig Murray]] was sceptical of the account of the plot. He said that "None of the alleged terrorists had made a bomb. None had bought a plane ticket. Many did not have passports". He also suggested that suspected ringleader Rashid Rauf had invented the plot under torture in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0608180833175231.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930230056/http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-239/0608180833175231.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007 |title=Be skeptical about UK's terror alert, says former ambassador |publisher=[[Islamic Republic News Agency]] |date=18 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009}}</ref>
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] {{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
==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===
Following the raids, the UK terror alert level was raised by the [[Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre]] from 'Severe' to 'Critical', signalling an attack was believed to be imminent.<ref name="MSNBC-plot"/> On 14 August 2006 the threat level was reduced from 'Critical' to 'Severe'.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Threat level lowered to 'Severe' |publisher=[[Home Office]] |date=13 August 2006 |url=http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/threat-severe |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327042820/http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/threat-severe |archive-date=27 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Immediately following the raids, no hand luggage was allowed except for essentials, such as travel documents and wallets. Limited hand baggage was reintroduced at some smaller airports on 14 August, but was not permitted at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports until 15 August.<ref name=bbc20071114>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4789593.stm |access-date=18 February 2009 |date=14 November 2007 |title=Baggage advice for UK passengers |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127032055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4789593.stm |archive-date=27 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some restrictions were relaxed in September 2006,<ref>{{cite news|first=Will |last=Woodward |date=14 September 2006 |title=Relaxation of plane hand luggage restrictions delights musicians |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/sep/14/terrorism.theairlineindustry |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=The Guardian |___location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109025617/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2006/sep/14/terrorism.theairlineindustry |archive-date=9 November 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=21 September 2006 |title=Hand luggage rules to be relaxed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5367096.stm |access-date=18 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726123753/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5367096.stm |archive-date=26 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and on 6 November 2006 restrictions were again relaxed to allow limited volumes of liquids to be carried into the cabin.<ref name=bbc20071114/>
In March 2020 Jonathan Evans, former Director General, MI5, gave an interview saying the aircraft plot "felt like some of the later-stage investigations into Irish terrorism that we had been doing. Because we had good intelligence coverage of what the Irish terrorist cells were doing, we could intervene at the relevant point, and we felt like we had a good insight into individual plots that were being prepared".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-24|title=A View from the CT Foxhole: Jonathan Evans, Former Director General, MI5|url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/view-ct-foxhole-jonathan-evans-former-director-general-mi5/|access-date=2020-11-27|website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point|language=en-US}}</ref>
===United States===
Following the operation, [[United States Homeland Security]] banned all liquids and gels except baby formula and prescription medicines in the name of the ticket holder in carry-on luggage on all flights.<ref name=fox20060810>{{cite news |title=Terror Threat: New Security Measures at U.S., UK Airports |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=10 August 2006 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/terror-threat |access-date=21 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205102709/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207765,00.html |archive-date=5 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Homeland Security Advisory System|DHS level]] in the United States was raised to 'Severe' (red) for all flights from the UK.<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |work=CNN |title=CNN.com – Agent infiltrated terror cell, U.S. says – 11 Aug 2006 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825054344/http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html |archive-date=25 August 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The terror level for all other domestic or non-British international flights to the United States was raised to 'High' (orange).<ref name="cnn.com"/>
From 13 August 2006, airline passengers in the United States could take up to {{Convert|3.4|USoz|0|abbr=on}} of non-prescription medicine, glucose gel for diabetics, solid lipstick, and baby food aboard flights. The [[Transportation Security Administration|TSA]] also ruled that passengers must remove their shoes so they could be X-rayed before boarding.<ref>{{cite web |title=TSA Asks Passengers to Place Shoes Directly on X-Ray Belt |url=http://www.tsa.gov/weekly/051809.shtm#news8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923203333/http://www.tsa.gov/weekly/051809.shtm#news8 |archive-date=23 September 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=9 September 2009 }}</ref> Eventually passengers were allowed to carry only {{Convert|100|ml|1|abbr=on}} of liquid in their hand luggage,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|title=TSA: Agency Adjusts Liquid Ban, Aviation Threat Level Remains High |url=http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510120609/https://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm |archive-date=10 May 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=9 September 2009 }}</ref> TSA standards required all non-medical liquids to be kept in a quart-sized plastic bag, with only one bag per passenger.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
==Effects==
{{Main|Security repercussions due to the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot}}
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===
All international inbound flights to [[London Heathrow Airport]] were cancelled on the day of the arrests except those already en route. Some flights to and from [[London Gatwick Airport]] were also suspended.<ref>{{cite news|title=Travel chaos grips UK's airports |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2006 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778871.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813140413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4778871.stm |archive-date=13 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later on that evening, some flights had resumed; shorter flights were resumed around 6pm. However, passengers boarding planes were told they could only carry boarding passes and passports. All other belongings were to be checked in with the rest of their luggage.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
[[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|mL|USfloz}} limit on hand luggage) passengers aboard.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
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>
===Controversy over the alert===
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, [[BAA plc|BAA]] ordered airlines using the airport to make a 30 per cent reduction in departing passenger flights (something BA was already having to do as many passengers missed flights due to the extra time it took to clear security), to help reduce delays and cancellations.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben |last=Hoyle |author2=Rosemary Bennett |title=Travel chaos as airlines ordered to slash flights |work=The Times |___location=London |date=14 August 2006 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article608319.ece |access-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110222221609/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article608319.ece |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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>
Several pilots complained about the "ridiculous" luggage restrictions that were thought up by "utter morons".<ref name="snacks on a plane">{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20060820/ai_n16675352 |title=Are we really at risk from snacks on a plane? |work=[[Sunday Herald]] |date=20 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |first=Neil |last=Mackay}}</ref> Carolyn Evans, head of flight safety at the British Airline Pilots Association, said that "the procedures put in place are not sustainable long-term, and unless the passengers are treated more reasonably, we will not have an industry left".<ref name="snacks on a plane"/>
The British government was criticised for [[scare mongering]] as a result of its response to the alert<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/aug/16/terrorism.patrickbarkham |title='People are definitely sceptical' |work=The Guardian |___location=London |date=16 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |first=Patrick |last=Barkham |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911182458/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/aug/16/terrorism.patrickbarkham |archive-date=11 September 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> and for using it to drive through unpopular reforms.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1178302006 |title=Terror alert: Blair to force through 90-day detention |work=[[Scotland on Sunday]] |date=13 August 2006 |access-date=5 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015104650/http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1178302006 |archive-date=15 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Economic effects===
''[[The Times]]'' commented on the day after the arrests that the economic effects were minor. It observed that the real commercial risk is that "people may stop travelling ... because they are tired of complying with necessary security measures."<ref>{{cite news|title=Terror may already be priced into values |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article606276.ece |date=11 August 2006 |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=The Times |___location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112029/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article606276.ece |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=dead |first1=Anushka |last1=Asthana |first2=Jill |last2=Sherman }}</ref>
[[British Airways]] cancelled 1,280 flights, at an estimated cost of £40 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 September 2006 |title=BA says terror alert cost it £40m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5316920.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211065126/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5316920.stm |archive-date=11 December 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ryanair]] had to cancel 500 flights at an estimated cost of £3.3 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 August 2006 |title=Ryanair to sue government for £3m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5285102.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829154637/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5285102.stm |archive-date=29 August 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[EasyJet]] had to cancel 469 flights, at a cost of about £4 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=7 September 2006 |title=Security alert cost Easyjet £4m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5323082.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723235319/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5323082.stm |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> BAA said the alert cost them £13 million.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 September 2006 |title=BAA says terror alert cost £13m |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5338080.stm |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712061608/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5338080.stm |archive-date=12 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2006, BA also claimed the increased security measures since August had cost it £100 million.<ref>{{cite news|access-date=19 February 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6112252.stm |work=BBC News |date=3 November 2006 |title=BA's terror alert bill hits £100m |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306234309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6112252.stm |archive-date=6 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Air passengers also switched to other means of travel, including ferries operating from Dover to Calais, and [[Eurostar]].<ref name="Independent_Switching">{{cite news|title=Airport meltdown: Airlines attack BAA over its handling of terror crisis, saying it 'cannot cope' |work=The Independent |___location=London |date=13 August 2006 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airport-meltdown-airlines-attack-baa-over-its-handling-of-terror-crisis-saying-it-cannot-cope-411679.html |access-date=19 February 2009 |first=Simon |last=Calder |author-link=Simon Calder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027192934/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airport-meltdown-airlines-attack-baa-over-its-handling-of-terror-crisis-saying-it-cannot-cope-411679.html |archive-date=27 October 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 13 August 2006, Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, claimed that the chaos at airports meant that the terrorists were achieving their aims.<ref name="Ryanair_Anger">{{cite news|title=Airlines accuse BAA of failing to cope with 'unsustainable' security measures |work=The Independent |___location=London |access-date=19 February 2009 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airlines-accuse-baa-of-failing-to-cope-with-unsustainable-security-measures-411827.html |date=14 August 2006 |first=Cahal |last=Milmo |author2=Nigel Morris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922224338/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/airlines-accuse-baa-of-failing-to-cope-with-unsustainable-security-measures-411827.html |archive-date=22 September 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Trials and sentencing==
Following the August 2006 arrests, ''[[The New York Times]]'' blocked IP addresses in Britain from accessing a story titled "Details Emerge in British Terror Case." This arose as a result of a requirement in British law that prejudicial information about a defendant may not be published before a trial. Using software technology designed for targeted advertising, ''The New York Times'' was able to comply with the UK's stricter laws.<ref name=zeller20060829>{{cite news |first=Tom Jr. |last=Zeller |author-link=Tom Zeller Jr. |date=29 August 2006 |title=Times Withholds Web Article in Britain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/business/media/29times.html |access-date=7 February 2009 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
In 2008, eight men (Ahmed Abdullah Ali, Assad Sarwar, Tanvir Hussain, Ibrahim Savant, Arafat Khan, Waheed Zaman, Umar Islam, Mohammed Gulzar) were tried in connection with the plot. The trial began in April 2008,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7329221.stm |work=BBC News |date=3 April 2008 |title='Airliners Plot': The allegations |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407073007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7329221.stm |archive-date=7 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the exhibition of what were described as 'suicide videos' made by Ali, Hussain, Savant, Khan, Zaman, and Islam,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7330367.stm |work=BBC News |date=4 April 2008 |title='Suicide videos': What they said |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408034229/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7330367.stm |archive-date=8 April 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the allegation that the suspects had bought chemicals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7446918.stm |title='Planes plotter' bought chemicals |date=10 June 2008 |work=BBC News |access-date=19 February 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713103833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7446918.stm |archive-date=13 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Intercepted emails and phone calls were not allowed as evidence at the first trial.<ref name=Jenkins8909 />
In their defence, the seven men, six of whom had recorded videos denouncing Western foreign policy, said they had only planned to cause a political spectacle and not to kill anyone. Ali told the court that he intended to make a political statement by letting off a small device at Heathrow and scaring people and that the plot did not involve attacking planes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7564184.stm |work=BBC News |title=Liquid bomb plot: What happened |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512170936/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7564184.stm |archive-date=12 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> All the accused, except for Gulzar, admitted plotting to cause a public nuisance. Ali, Sarwar and Hussein also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions.<ref name="BBC verdicts"/>
On 7 September 2008 after more than 50 hours of deliberations, the jury found Ali, Sarwar and Hussein guilty of conspiracy to murder but were unable to reach verdicts on charges of conspiracy to murder by blowing up aircraft for them and Islam. Three of the other accused were found not guilty on the latter charges.<ref name="BBC verdicts">{{cite news|title=Airliners bomb plot: The Verdicts |work=BBC News |date=7 September 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8233954.stm |access-date=7 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020113001/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8233954.stm |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Mohammad Gulzar was acquitted on all counts.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7605583.stm |title='Astonishment' at terror verdicts |access-date=19 February 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111163049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7605583.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 7 September 2009, the second jury at Woolwich Crown Court found Ali, Sarwar and Hussain guilty of "conspiracy to murder involving liquid bombs" and that the targets of the conspiracy were airline passengers.<ref name="BBC News"/> The plot was said at court to have been discovered by MI5 using covert listening devices in a flat in east London. The jurors were unable to reach verdicts on the charges against Savant, Khan, Zaman or Islam. Islam was however convicted on a separate charge of conspiracy to murder.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/07/plane-bomb-plot-trial-verdicts |title='Three guilty of transatlantic bomb plot' |date=7 September 2009 |work=The Guardian |___location=London |first=Vikram |last=Dodd |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126055927/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/sep/07/plane-bomb-plot-trial-verdicts |archive-date=26 January 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
At Woolwich Crown Court on 14 September 2009, Mr Justice Henriques sentenced Ali, Sarwar, Hussain and Islam to life imprisonment. Ali, described as 'the ringleader', was ordered to serve at least 40 years. Sarwar was ordered to serve at least 36 years, while Hussain was jailed for at least 32 years. Islam, convicted of the more general 'conspiracy to murder' charge, was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years.<ref>{{cite news|date=14 September 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8254156.stm |title='Airline plot trio get life terms' at terror verdicts |access-date=14 September 2009 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711152504/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8254156.stm |archive-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
At the same 2009 Woolwich trial, Donald Stewart-Whyte, who had not been charged at the 2008 trial, pleaded guilty to possession of a loaded gun, but was cleared of all terrorism offences.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 March 2010 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/8552855.stm |title=Convert turned accused bomber keeps his faith |access-date=29 July 2016 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
At the third trial in July 2010 at Woolwich Crown Court, Savant, Khan and Zaman were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for the lesser charge of conspiracy to murder. All were ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.<ref name=BBC12710/>
== See also ==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of terrorist incidents, 2006]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents in the United Kingdom]]
{{Clear}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
===UK press===
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm "Airlines terror plot" disrupted]—[[BBC News]]
* [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/08/17/flying_toilet_terror_labs/ Mass murder in the skies: was the plot feasible?]—''[[The Register]]''
===International press===
* [https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-10-britain-terror_x.htm British police thwart alleged major terrorist plot]—''[[USA Today]]''
* [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0810/terror1.html 24 questioned after prevention of terror plot]—[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]
* [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10395577 Britain says it foils "mass murder" plane bomb plot] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821185827/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10395577 |date=21 August 2019 }})—[[Reuters]]
{{US War on Terror|state=collapsed}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2006}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Transatlantic Aircraft Plot}}
[[Category:2006 in aviation]]
[[Category:2006 in England]]
[[Category:2006 in Europe]]
[[Category:2006 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2006 in the United States]]
[[Category:August 2006 in North America]]
[[Category:August 2006 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Failed airliner bombings]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in Canada]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorism in the United States]]
[[Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Canada in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in Europe in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in North America in 2006]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in the United States in 2006]]
[[Category:War on terror]]
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