Passengers in transit to London must ensure that they comply with new security measures on hand luggage, South African Airways (SAA) said on Friday.
The airline said in a statement that passengers connecting to further destinations are requested to travel without hand luggage to avoid inconvenience at London’s Heathrow airport.
”We advise that our customers limit their cabin luggage in keeping with the new security requirements,” SAA spokesperson Jacqui O’Sullivan said. ”Should their hand baggage not comply with the new measures, they will have to land, clear the process and recheck for their connecting flight.
”To avoid any further inconvenience and to assist them to smooth their travelling experience, we do advise passengers in transit to comply before they get to London.”
She said SAA will hand out letters to passengers at check-in counters to alert them to the new security restrictions, especially regarding hand luggage.
Passengers departing from the United Kingdom are also advised to travel as light as possible.
As stipulated by the British government, all flights departing from London will be subjected to full security screening.
Passengers will be hand-searched, their shoes will be removed and they will be X-rayed. Pushchairs and walking aids will also be checked and screened. Only essential items will be allowed in hand luggage for flights departing from London.
Pocket-sized wallets and purses, essential medication marked with the passenger’s name, unboxed tissues and female hygiene products and unboxed spectacles will be allowed. All other items will have to be placed in the hold.
No electrical or battery-powered items such as laptops, cellphones, iPods and remote controls will be allowed in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.
”SAA complies fully with the new security measures implemented by British and American aviation authorities following yesterday’s [Thursday’s] aviation threats in London.”
The airline also advises passengers to make allowance for time, as checking in and boarding planes will take longer.
O’Sullivan said SAA’s flights from London landed at their scheduled times on Friday morning with only one being slightly delayed. None of Friday’s flights to London were cancelled and would depart as normal.
On flights departing to the United States, no liquid or gels of any size will be allowed on board a plane.
”Passengers may have baby formula, breast milk or juice for a small child, prescription medicine, insulin and essential non-prescription medicines. Any liquid or gel items purchased from duty-free stores will be confiscated.”
Britain went to its highest state of terror alert on Thursday after police arrested more than 20 people in connection with a plot involving the hiding of explosives in hand baggage for detonation on flights bound for the US. — Sapa