Air travellers at the St. John's International Airport are facing tighter security and some delays in the wake of an alleged plot to bomb airplanes in Britain.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS 

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority issued new rules effective noon on Aug. 10 after British police announced a plot to bomb commercial aircraft from Britain to the United States.

The rules will affect you if you're flying from any Canadian airport, including on a domestic trip.

You can take carry-on luggage but it can't contain any liquids or gels, including:

  • All beverages.
  • Shampoo.
  • Suntan lotion.
  • Creams.
  • Toothpaste.
  • Hair gel.

The exceptions:

  • Baby formula.
  • Breast milk in bottles.
  • Juice for a baby or small child.
  • Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket.
  • Insulin.
  • Essential non-prescription medicine.

Put all liquids and gels in checked baggage.

If you're boarding a flight to the United States, you'll be asked to take off your shoes for screening.

If you can't take off your shoes because you have a disability or are elderly, security officials will check them with detection equipment.

Police arrested 24 people in the London area on Thursday who the British Intelligence Agency suspect were planning to blow up planes heading for the United States. Soon after, Transport Canada imposed increased restrictions in Canadian airports for the next two to three days.

At the St. John's International Airport, officials boosted security screening of passengers boarding airplanes.

Airport spokeswoman Marie Manning said, that as of 1:30 p.m. NT, no liquid, gels or lotions were being allowed in the departure lounge. The lounge also stopped selling bottled water.

Security officials said there was concern about liquids and gels because of the possibility that liquid components used to make a bomb could be carried aboard in hand luggage.

Air travellers in St. John's and elsewhere across Canada were being asked to pack any liquids — which include such items as hairspray, toothpaste, sunscreen and beverages — in their checked luggage instead of carry-on bags.

Transport Canada said exceptions would be made for certain items, including baby formula, insulin and other forms of medication, as long as the name on the medication matched the name on the passenger's boarding pass.

Arrive 90 minutes early, airport warns

A flight from Heathrow Airport in London, England, that was originally due to arrive in St. John's at 2 p.m. NT was expected to be delayed by up to four hours.

St. John's airport officials said they were not expecting any major delays on domestic flights.

But they asked travellers to arrive at least 90 minutes before their departure times to accommodate the increased security.

Travellers and people expecting passengers to arrive at the airport were advised to check the airport's website for any changes in schedules.