AIRLINE passengers will face increased security as the Government signalled that air travel would never be the same again.

Emergency hand baggage restrictions imposed because of the alleged plot to blow up aircraft are expected to remain until next week.

But there will be pressure to lift them because of the inconvenience caused to hundreds of thousands of travellers.

Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary, held an emergency meeting of the National Aviation Security Committee yesterday to discuss security measures at airports and on aircraft.

The Transport Department said that the Government hoped that the restrictions would exist for a limited time and only for as long as the situation demanded.

But sources close to Mr Alexander indicated that restrictions could become permanent and said “the way we travel will never be the same again”.

Under the new guidelines, travellers must check in most baggage — apart from wallets and purses, identity and travel documents, prescription medicines, spectacles, sunglasses and keys.

Those travelling with children will be allowed items essential for caring for them. Travellers will not be able to use laptops or listen to MP3 players. Passengers will be able to purchase items in the departure lounge and take them on board. But on flights to the United States all liquids — drinks, perfumes and creams — bought in the departure lounge will not be allowed on board.

An inevitable legacy of the alleged terror plot will be longer queues and earlier check-ins for many months.

The result is likely to be daily changes to flight schedules on a permanent basis. At Heathrow an aircraft takes off and lands every 90 seconds but this may prove impossible in future.

Shorthaul flights to Europe and low-cost airlines rely on speedy turnrounds at airports to make money. They do not want aircraft on the ground for long periods because this would not generate income.

But the airline industry and airport authorities will come under intense pressure to improve their screening techniques while managing passenger waiting times.

Chris Yates, the aviation security correspondent for Jane’s Airport Review, said: “For a number of years checkpoint screening has been the Achilles’ heel of the whole security operation at airports.

“We still rely on metal detection and X-ray machines at the passport check points. An X-ray machine cannot identify a person carrying explosives.”

He said that equipment was available to provide better protection for airlines but that it would be expensive to install.

One piece of equipment involves passengers walking into a portal to have air puffed over them to disclose whether they have handled explosives.

Another device bombards hand luggage with radio frequencies to check for explosives.

Mr Yates said: “Whatever happens it has to be the right mix of technology to maintain the flow of people through the airport.”

A controversial measure would be to place greater reliance on profiling passengers to identify individuals who should come under greater scrutiny.

This involves selecting individuals on the basis of gender, age and ethnicity, but has been criticised by human rights groups. However, airline officials argue that it is illogical for a family going on holiday to face the same scrutiny as a single man who purchased a ticket at the last minute.

CONTACTS

Heathrow 0870 0000123
www.heathrowairport.com

Luton 01582-405 100
www.london-luton.co.uk/en/flights.asp

Gatwick 0800 8830581
www.gatwickairport.com

Stansted 0870 0000303
www.stanstedairport.com

Birmingham 0870 7335511
www.bhx.co.uk

Manchester 0161-489 3000
www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Glasgow Prestwick 0870 0400008
www.gpia.co.uk/HolidayFlights

Southampton 0870 0400009
www.southamptonairport.com

Edinburgh 0870 0400007
www.edinburghairport.com

Aberdeen 0870 0400006
www.aberdeenairport.com

Newcastle 0870 1221484
www.newcastleairport.com/ArrDep

POLLY & SUZY'S AIRPORT GAMES

Tattoos

Ask your child to close their eyes and not peep. You then draw a “tattoo” on their palm with your finger. Start with easy shapes like a star, a heart or a face. The child then guesses what you drew

Girl, Boy, Animal, Place

Give each other letters of the alphabet. Each must think of a girl’s name, boy’s name, animal and place starting with their letter

Miaow! Squeak! Huooo!

A noisier version of Stone, Paper, Scissors. Play in pairs and on the count of three, make a noise and a gesture. You have three options: squeak like a mouse and make your teeth goofy; miaow like a cat and show claws; or trumpet like an elephant and make your arm into a trunk. Cat beats mouse, mouse beats elephant and elephant beats cat

Copy Cat

One person performs an action, such as coughing. The next copies this and adds another action. Continue until you are all too giggly or forgetful

Imitation game

One person becomes a spy and decides which stranger they will imitate. The spy must copy their every movement — reading, eating or waving their hands frantically in front of the departure board. The others must guess who they are imitating. Take care that the person being imitated doesn’t notice!

Geography

One player names a town, city or country, say France. The next names a place starting with the last letter, E, and so on. There will be hints around the airport

Ding Dong Splat

Mum or Dad tells a story, and the kids do the sound effects. It can be a fairy tale, a true story or made up, but include lots of sounds such as rain, trains, sirens, doorbells, horses trotting and corks popping

USEFUL WEBSITES

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk
From animal dominoes to battleships

www.puzzlechoice.com

www.coloring.ws/connect.html

alysion.org/string.htm
Lots of tricks with string

www.drawbooks.com/artschool/
Detailed instructions on how to draw cartoon characters and animals.

www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/
Creating paper objects

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