BA flight to Washington cancelled over security fears

A British Airways flight from Heathrow to Washington has been cancelled for the second time over security fears.

Passengers had checked in for the British Airways flight BA223 despite doubts about whether it would go ahead.

Yesterday’s flight was cancelled several hours before it was scheduled to depart after BA received “security advice” from the Government.

On New Year’s Eve, the same flight had been kept on the runway for three hours after landing at Washington Dulles International Airport to allow security officials to board the plane and question passengers.

The Boeing 747 was escorted into Dulles by two F-16 fighter jets.

Announcing today’s decision, BA said: “Following the latest advice from the UK government received this afternoon, British Airways has cancelled today’s flight BA223 from London Heathrow to Washington due to security reasons.

“BA223 was due to depart today, Friday January 2, from Heathrow at 1505 local time arriving in Washington at 1820 local time.

“It is expected that other flights across the British Airways network will operate as normal today.

“We apologise to our customers booked to travel on BA223 for the inconvenience caused.

“As a consequence of today’s cancellation, the return flight BA222 will also be cancelled (due to depart Washington at 2140 arriving London Heathrow at 1000 tomorrow).”