UK airports put on terror alert after US govt warns of Al-Qaeda attack

The UK government has placed airports on terror alert in response to a US warning of a “credible threat” of an Al-Qaeda attack. The White House says a “new generation” of non-metallic bombs could bypass airport security. Although authorities in London have not released specific details, the measures are likely to include more checks and longer waiting times for passengers traveling to the US, as well as an increase in random bag searches for passengers traveling to international airports in the US, according to the UK Department for Transport. “We have taken the decision to step up some of our aviation security measures,” a spokesman for the Department of Transport said. “For obvious reasons we will not be commenting in detail on those changes. The majority of passengers should not experience significant disruption. There will be no change to the threat level, which remains at substantial.” The hike in airport security comes following reports received by the White House, detailing a “new generation” of non-metallic bombs that could bypass existing airport security.