Six US-bound flights from England, Scotland and France were cancelled yesterday because of security concerns.

British Airways attempted to reassure passengers today after US officials said they had new intelligence that its flights from London to the US could be terrorist targets.

An Air France spokeswomen in New York, Diane Cornman, said there was good cooperation among the airline and US and French government officials. “We have been complying with all security measures,” she said.

British Airways security officials are deciding today whether to operate its afternoon flight to Washington after cancelling yesterday’s service because of fears over security.

Al-Qaida may be plotting to fly cargo planes from overseas into such crucial targets in the United States as nuclear plants, bridges or dams, US security officials are warning.

All commercial flights in America were being searched tonight after box cutters and other potential weapons were found concealed on two planes.

Fire authorities in New York have said they believe that an oil tanker exploded while being fuelled in the Staten Island oil explosion in the US today.