'Real and Definite Threat' Caused BA Flight Cancellation

The Scotsman ^ | Jan 02 2004 | By Caroline Gammell, PA News

[Dog]

'Real and Definite Threat' Caused BA Flight Cancellation

By Caroline Gammell, PA News

The cancellation of British Airways flight BA223 from Heathrow to Washington was caused by a “real and definite threat”, a defence expert warned today.

The plane had already started checking in passengers and was due to leave at 3.05pm.

But BA announced it had been cancelled at 1.15pm – less than two hours before take off – for security reasons.

Paul Beaver, a defence analyst, said: “This is certainly unusual. The intelligence is very, very precise which is why this one flight has been cancelled.

“We have got intelligence, I am told, that there was a plan to take the aircraft and destroy it over Washington or fly it into something.

“Washington is the definite target.”

Mr Beaver said the information passed on to BA via the Government was likely to have come from American intelligence.

“All I know is there is a real and definite threat.”

He went on: “There is good and precise intelligence that there is more than one al Qaida or al Qaida-like group operating against the US.

“One is based in central America and the other is based in Europe – in London or Paris.”

Mr Beaver said it was not known whether operatives in these potential terror cells are carrying legal British passports.

Yesterday’s flight BA223 was also cancelled several hours before it was scheduled to depart after BA received “security advice” from the Government.

On New Year’s Eve, the same flight had been kept on the runway for three hours after landing at Washington Dulles International Airport to allow security officials to board the plane and question passengers.

The Boeing 747 was escorted into Dulles by two F-16 fighter jets.

An Aeromexico flight from Mexico City to Los Angeles was also cancelled after US authorities refused to allow it to land.

Flight 490 was cancelled after Homeland Security officials said they were concerned it might be a safety risk, said a spokesman for Mexico’s President Vicente Fox.

[oceanview]

we've talked about that on other threads. I believe they do not know who the people are. If they did, they wouldn't cancel the flight until everyone boarded (including the bomber), and then stopped the takeoff and searched suspicious passengers.

[Happy2BMe]

I've scanned a couple of hundred posts now and still can't find any references to Ahkmed, Muhammed, or Osama.

What gives?

[BulletBobCo]

What was the pattern last night? Is there a storm nearby? Wind patterns different or anything tonight?

A number of factors can be involved. The jet stream can change, or flow control from air traffic control could require that the flight enters the approach through a different "gate" in the sky. Being that this flight was delayed, this could be the case in order that planes are sequenced to land with the least amount of delay.

[Malsua]

>>Let's say AQ wanted to simultaneously detonate explosions in DC and NYC via radio remote control. You'd most likely need line-of-sight to do it reliably<<

Just curious, why would anyone bother?

Attach the ringer wires of a cell-phone to an opto-isolated circuit and the tiny ringer speaker/Piezo could be used to easily trigger any voltage you needed. Have the numbers pre-programmed on 2 phones, hit the send buttons at the same time...good night Irene.

[nicmarlo]

So, it's not unusual that their flight pattern deviates....given the conditions. Makes sense.

[BulletBobCo]

I noticed that the flight has started decending abit early. Normally decent doesn't start until around 100-150 miles out. Currently the flight is at Flight Level 200 or 20,000 feet.

[LikeLight]

225 over Eastern PA now . . .

[Quilla]

I have a friend who is a flight reservationist for Delta Airlines. About 5 years ago she married an Islamic man from Morocco.

About a year ago, I was listening to Michael Reagan's radio program. I was driving late at night, alone, and the AM station's reception was fair at best. He was speaking about the hundreds of American women who have been courted (targeted) by Muslim men for marriage and the accompanying citizenship. He theorized that these men are establishing cells here in the states. I don't know if the poor reception added to the eeriness of the story, but I was truly frightened listening that night.

[LikeLight]

This one's a 747-400 . . .

[WestCoastGal]

Just reported on Fox that France is willing to give us their passenger lists one hour prior to take off now. Holy mad cow I didn't know we were not advised of their passenger lists before this?? Also, we are working with others to get their cooperation.

Local report here from LAX is that AeroMexico officials say that flight may not go tonight either.

Flight 225 is now over New Jersey.

[nicmarlo]

where are you looking at the info? I'm on the cheap tickets tracking the plane....it doesn't give out any info.

[WestCoastGal]

Oops make that Pennsylvania re: BA225

[BulletBobCo]

Flightview.com is a good site.

[nicmarlo]

cheaptickets now showing it's nearly over Reading Muni., PA

[WestCoastGal]

Thanks : )

[nicmarlo]

That's good info. thanks.

[nicmarlo]

that's a good link, too!

[BulletBobCo]

Go here to see a nice picture of the type of aircraft arriving.