News flash!!!

I was in Kenya about 5 years ago and the security at Niarobi was very poor. Infact I was in the departure lougne when I thought I had better exchange my currency so the only exchange place there is in the main terminal. So I asked the guards and they said yes holding out their hands for some loose change. I am not sure if it is still like that now but it certainly gave me food for thought back then.

I tend to agree with Mongu and Whiskydelta, any airline is at risk from terrorists. An attack against a BA aircraft would be a higher profile and cause a massive worldwide storm, but KQ are equally at risk. Security at NBO is very tight as with the majority of airports but these guys will find a way eventually and I hate to say it, it might be just a matter of time before something dreadfull happens.

Let’s hope they get bored trying!

I agree, the Air Kenya flights are just as much a risk if not more so. I’ve never been but I can’t imagine that the security is as stringent on their end as it would before BA. Terrorists are like electricity and go through the path of least resistance. Of the 2 carriers, I would put my money on Air Kenya.

Not sure

I disagree, it would be rash to say Air Kenya ae not at risk also. The terrorists would probably think a BA 747 would be “look better” but a message can still be put across on an Air Kenya plane.

Same applies to charter flights. It is not logical to presume to know the modus operandi of these people – if we did, there presumably wouldn’t be a threat in the first place.

In particular, Al’Qaeda are well known for being cunning and unpredictable!

Thanks Saab, told you I was being thick.

Regards,

kev35

But there wouldn’t be any earlier flights because BA only operates a once a day flight to Nairobi (hence this one), also what terrorist in their right mind would take a charter? Wanna book a hotel with that? Kenya Airways would probably not be at as greater risk because I think the risk is to British airlines more so.

True Kev! Silly really, you’d think that they would ground them straight away!

This is probably just me being very thick (something I am well known for) but if the flights are to be suspended from 10pm wouldn’t a terrorist with half a brain cell have a go at an earlier flight?

Regards,

kev35

A good move… If there is a direct threat, take action, which is being done.

I have heard that Kenya Airways are to still operate their flight into LHR tonight!

Last Updated: Thursday, 15 May, 2003, 16:56 GMT 17:56 UK

Email this to a friend Printable version

Terror alert grounds Kenya flights

A suicide attack on a hotel near Mombasa killed 15
All UK flights to and from Kenya are to be suspended because of threats to British planes, the Department for Transport has announced.

The suspension starts from 2200BST on Thursday, because the threat level to UK planes has “increased to imminent”, the Association of British Travel Agents said.

British Airways has cancelled its daily departure to Kenya and is making arrangements to transfer hundreds of stranded passengers into Tanzania to fly them back to the UK.

The announcement follows warnings from the US about possible terrorist attacks throughout East Africa and south-east Asia, following Monday’s suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia which killed 34 people.

Last November there was a failed attempt to shoot down a plane carrying Israeli tourists from a holiday resort near Mombasa.

Warning

Fifteen people, mostly Kenyans, were killed in a suicide attack on the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel near Mombasa at the same time as the attempt to shoot down the plane.

The BBC’s Daniel Sandford said flights were being suspended, according to Whitehall sources, over concerns about “personnel and weaponry” being in place, although it may not necessarily be an attempt to shoot down a passenger aircraft.

It is not yet known if the change to the threat level for flights to Kenya is related to recent comments by Kenyan police about alleged al-Qaeda operatives.

Matthew Kabetu, head of Kenya’s anti-terrorism unit, told the Associated Press on Thursday that an al-Qaeda suspect may have returned to the country.

Q&A: Kenya travel plans
Al-Qaeda ‘threat remains’
US issues Kenya alert
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed is wanted in connection with the US embassy bombing in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and the attacks in Mombasa in November last year.

The Kenyan authorities have issued his photograph and details, and he is believed to be the chief architect of November’s bombing of the hotel, which killed 15 people.

Earlier on Thursday, the United States urged its citizens to postpone non-essential trips to Kenya, due to fears of possible terror attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda.

The State Department fears an attack could be timed to coincide with Thursday’s celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, “Maulid”.

The attacks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, have been blamed on al-Qaeda by the American and Saudi Governments.

Passenger safety

British Airways operates daily services between London and Nairobi and a flight to Nairobi was due to leave Heathrow airport at 2150 BST on Thursday.

The other British airline which flies direct to Kenya is the chartered airline Monarch, which has also cancelled its weekly Sunday flight.

Kenya Airways is still flying between the UK and Kenya, but other Western airlines are said to be considering their position.

A BA spokesman added: “The safety and security of our customers is always our first priority and will never be compromised.”

An ABTA spokesman advised passengers due to travel to Kenya to contact their travel agents to make alternative arrangements.

Hey
WOw this is news to me

RE: News flash!!!

I seem to remember when BA was selling Go, their were rumours then that easyjet were looking at buying them then.

RE: News flash!!!

exactly Mongu…

RE: News flash!!!

Easyjet are acquiring 3I’s stake in Go – it is therefore a straightforward acquisition rather than a merger.

RE: News flash!!!

>Remember that they are merging not taking over!

where do you get that from? buying is taking over

RE: News flash!!!

Remember that they are merging not taking over!

RE: News flash!!!

According to BBC an announcement is expected on Wednesday.
Personally I don’t like the idea,think of all the orange :'(
Surely this would make EZY far to large in the European low cost market which already is crowded with operators such as Ryanair,Buzz,Detscheba (to name a few)The main reasons in my opinion for EZY to buy GO is because they want to be the dominate low cost airline in europe,GO did want to expand and have a mainland europe hub so it seems a good way in which EZY could get quickly and easyly in to Europe though in affect this could leave seats empty and not as lower prices due to their dominance.

RE: News flash!!!

They certainly seem very successful, I have used them quite alot as they are the major carrier at my local airport (Liverpool) and have a good range of destinations from there. Flew with them recently to Amsterdam, both flight full. Ryanair are also successful and we are going to see more of them here at LPL soon (New Brussels service and other routes to follow).

As far as im concerned the “majors” showed little or no interest at offering links from here, Easyjet and now Ryanair did and they have captured a large and growing percentage of the market. The Travel-Trade press hate it !! As someone who worked in the industry for over 10 years I find their attitude very backward-thinking. They do not seem to want to embrace the (not so new now!) low-cost phenomenon, so people will just book direct.

Regards
Carl

RE: News flash!!!

Interesting stuff… easyJet certainly have some future ahead of them. They are really the most successful lo-cost airline in operation today wouldn’t you agree? Didn’t they make threats to Lufthansa about when they start their flights to Germany?

RE: News flash!!!

Heard this anouncement earlier, strange that Go’s boss Barbara Cassani (spelling?), was on Radio Five Live a couple of weeks back and there was no hint that Go was in talks with EasyJet.
Regards, Dazza.