BA suspends Saudi flights

Thursday, 14 Aug, 2003 0

British Airways has suspended flights to Saudi Arabia, citing “heightened security concerns in the region”.

The carrier says it has been holding discussions with the Department for Transport, and decided to pull the flight on grounds of safety concerns.

BA director of safety and security Geoff Want said: “As a matter of precaution we have decided to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia for the time being and we will continue to liaise closely with the British government.”

On Wednesday flights from London Heathrow to both Riyadh and Jeddah were cancelled. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising against non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia.

The FCO website reads: “Following bomb attacks in Riyadh in May, which killed more than 30 people, further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia remain likely. There is information of a threat to British aviation interests in Saudi Arabia. As a precautionary measure British Airways is currently suspending its flights to Riyadh and Jedda.”

“We advise British nationals against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia.”

Swiss and Lufthansa are both continuing flights to the country saying that the threat is specific to British aircraft .



 



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