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13/08/2003
BA suspends flights to Saudi Arabia over 'security concerns'
British Airways has announced that it is to suspend all flights to Saudi Arabia "due to heightened security concerns in the region".
BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
Geoff Want, the airline’s director of safety and security, 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.”
Today, British Airways cancelled its flights from London Heathrow to both Riyadh and Jeddah.
The Foreign Office has issued travel advice stating that British nationals should avoid "all but essential travel" to Saudi Arabia.
"If you choose to travel to, or remain in, Saudi Arabia you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your security arrangements," the Foreign Office said.
Co-ordinated bomb attacks in Riyadh on 12 May killed more than 30 people, including two British nationals, and injured nearly a hundred.
Further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia "remain likely", the department said.
(gmcg)
BA said that it would suspend flights until further notice follows discussions earlier today between the airline and the British government's Department for Transport.
Geoff Want, the airline’s director of safety and security, 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.”
Today, British Airways cancelled its flights from London Heathrow to both Riyadh and Jeddah.
The Foreign Office has issued travel advice stating that British nationals should avoid "all but essential travel" to Saudi Arabia.
"If you choose to travel to, or remain in, Saudi Arabia you should take all necessary steps to protect your safety and should make sure you have confidence in your security arrangements," the Foreign Office said.
Co-ordinated bomb attacks in Riyadh on 12 May killed more than 30 people, including two British nationals, and injured nearly a hundred.
Further large or small scale attacks against Western interests in Saudi Arabia "remain likely", the department said.
(gmcg)
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Travel warning issued following Saudi terror outrage
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia after 22 foreign nationals – including a British oil executive – were killed by Islamic militants at the weekend. Sixty-two-year-old Michael Hamilton was shot dead by Al Qaeda terrorists who entered a residential compound for western nationals in Al Khobar on Saturday.
Travel warning issued following Saudi terror outrage
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia after 22 foreign nationals – including a British oil executive – were killed by Islamic militants at the weekend. Sixty-two-year-old Michael Hamilton was shot dead by Al Qaeda terrorists who entered a residential compound for western nationals in Al Khobar on Saturday.
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