Fed: United Airlines declines to explain for UK flight delay

AAP General News (Australia)
12-27-2001
Fed: United Airlines declines to explain for UK flight delay

United Airlines has refused to explain why it asked police to remove three passengers
from a UK flight to Australia via the US.

British police say delays to the London departure of the Sydney-bound flight came after
armed police boarded the plane to remove the three passengers.

The flight from London to Sydney via San Francisco, had left Heathrow terminal as scheduled
on Monday.

Passenger, JACK RICHARDSON, from Manly in Sydney's north, says the plane stopped on
the runway after the pilot advised of mechanical problems.

Mr RICHARDSON says the plane returned to the terminal where armed police boarded the
plane, before escorting the three male passengers away.

He says about 100 remaining passengers were told to disembark and were subject to an
extensive body and luggage search.

The flight took off four hours later.

An United Airlines spokeswoman in the UK, RUTH HORNSBY, confirmed the flight had been
delayed but declined to provide further details.

AAP RTV as/nd

KEYWORD: UK FLIGHT (SYDNEY)

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