Despite reports of a foiled terror plot in Britain flights from China's three major international airports of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have not been disrupted.

 

While British Airways' flights from Beijing and Shanghai departed before the news broke, Frank Yan, the airline's passenger sales manager in China said yesterday evening: "So far I haven't received any notice from headquarters saying we have to cancel flights from Beijing or Shanghai to London tomorrow."

 

"As many short-range flights to and from London have been cancelled our passengers will be affected if they're going to transfer at Heathrow Airport to other cities in the UK," he said.

 

BA operates daily flights from Beijing to London and five flights a week from Shanghai.

 

In Shanghai, Yang Huifeng, spokesman for Virgin Atlantic which operates daily flights to London said: "We've not heard of any terrorist threat in London but if there is such a threat Virgin will cooperate closely with the Shanghai security officials. So far we haven't received any notice from our company to change security check-in procedures."

 

At the city's Pudong International Airport, an official at the Safety Inspection Office who gave only his surname, Xin, said: "As far as I know there are no delays in any flights to Britain. We haven't received any instructions to tighten security."

 

Flights from Hong Kong to London were on schedule last night but passengers were not allowed to carry hand luggage. Many checked in earlier than usual fearing increased security checks.

 

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Security Bureau cautioned residents traveling to the UK to keep abreast with developments there and pay close attention to personal safety.

 

(China Daily August 11, 2006)