UPDATED 16.30pm: PASSENGERS are enduring a second day of cancellations and delays at London's major airports, as aviation chiefs reportedly consider a permanent ban on liquids.

The strict security measures - including a ban on hand luggage and drinks - remain in place after police yesterday said they had stopped a terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic planes.

It's not known how for long the measures will be enforced, but people flying over the weekend have been told to arrive at airports prepared.

The Times reported that a long-term restriction on passengers carrying drinks and other fluids would be discussed by the National Aviation Security Committee in an emergency meeting today.

If the move is supported it will be introduced for flights leaving the UK. "I don't think we will ever go back to the way we were before," a Department for Transport source told the newspaper.

BAA this morning said passengers can purchase items from the departures lounge once they have passed through security and can carry these onto the plane. However anyone travelling to the US cannot carry any liquids or liquefied products onto the aircraft. This includes drinks, bottles of duty-free, perfumes, toothpaste, hair gel or other toiletries.

Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports have remained open, but flight cancellations at all of the airports are expected.

Passengers are being asked to check with their airlines and holiday agencies for news if their flight has been cancelled.

Those flying out of the UK today and over the weekend have been told to allow extra time for their journey as roads to the airport may be very congested.

Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least two or three hours before departure.

They have also been warned to come prepared - this means arriving with no hand luggage and bringing those items allowed into the cabin in a clear plastic bag.

"The additional security restrictions will continue to have an impact on the airport's operation," BAA, the airports authority, said.

"Some flights will inevitably be cancelled. Therefore anyone who intends to travel in the next few days should check with their airline."

The latest advice from BAA is:

  • Heathrow: Is experiencing some cancellations and disruption. Check-in and hand search processes across both North and South Terminals are affected, and this will continue for the rest of the evening.

British Airways expect to operate 60 per cent of short-haul flights and 75 per cent of long-haul flights. About 120 flights were likely to be cancelled.

Virgin expect to operate all flights but passengers should expect delays.

BMI has resumed most of its short-haul flights to Heathrow from domestic and European airports apart from those in Spain.

  • Stansted: EasyJet and Ryanair cancelled 59 flights, while others were delayed.
  • Gatwick: British Airways and EasyJet have cancelled 44 flights, while Virgin flights are experiencing delays.
  • Luton: EasyJet cancelled all it's domestic flights and a small number of shorthaul flights.

HAND LUGGAGE RESTRICTED
Aircraft passengers may only take the following into the cabin, carried in a transparent plastic bag:

  • Small wallets with money and credit cards, but not handbags
  • Travel documents, like passports and tickets
  • Essential prescription medicines
  • Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases
  • Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution
  • For those flying with an infant: baby food, milk, nappies, wipes and creams
  • Unboxed sanitary items for women, such as tampons and pads
  • Unboxed tissues and/or handkerchiefs
  • Keys, but no electrical key fobs
  • London City warned its passengers to allow additional time to check in for flights and to expect delays.

On Thursday, over 400,000 passengers were affected by the chaos at airports countrywide. In total, BA cancelled 400 flights, EasyJet 300 and Ryan Air 46.

Overnight about 250 people chose to remain at Heathrow Terminal 3 and there were smaller numbers in the other three terminals.

BAA provided about 1,000 camping mats and courtesy washing kit for these passengers.

EXTRA SECURITY MEASURES

  • No items of hand baggage can be carried on board any aircraft departing any UK airport.
  • Passengers may only take through the airport security search point the barest necessities, as set out on the left.
  • Parents with young children can take on board baby food and milk, but must taste it in front of security staff.
  • Banned items include: mobiles phones, laptops, electrical key fobs, handbags, electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, iPods, remote controls, books and newspapers.
  • Nothing may be carried in pockets.
  • All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
  • Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
  • All liquids must be removed from passengers.