Carry-Ons Return To Flights From England

Government officials in the United Kingdom Monday downgraded the threat level facing airliners in that country, from "Code Red" to "Code Orange"... allowing the return of carry-on baggage to flights from the UK.

The BBC reports the change in the terror threat level -- as determined by the Joint Terrorism and Analysis Centre, or JTAC -- was made because officials believe an attack is still "highly likely"... but no longer "imminent."

"I want to stress, therefore, that the change in the threat level does not mean that the threat has gone away," said Home Secretary John Reid. "There is still a very serious threat of an attack."

"The threat level is at severe indicating the high likelihood of an attempted terrorist attack at some stage, and I urge the public to remain vigilant."

England had been at the critical level since a terrorist plot to bomb commercial airliners, using liquid explosives, was uncovered August 10.

While hand luggage is now allowed once again in the cabin on British flights, restrictions on liquids and gels remain in effect.

FMI: www.mi5.gov.uk/output/Page421.html