Those traveling via London-Heathrow Airport (LHR), Glasgow International Airport (GLA), and Manchester International Airport (MAN) will need to arrive extra early after these airports take on additional security checks in search of an escaped terror suspect.
Heathrow Airport advised passengers to arrive at least two hours prior to departure for inter-Europe flights, and at least three hours prior to departure for other international flights.
The UK Border Force is performing the extra security checks after a nationwide manhunt was launched for ex-soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, a terrorist suspect who escaped Wandsworth prison on September 6, 2023.
The Daily Record reported that passengers who have already gone through the airports’ security halls were asked to show their IDs once again for additional checks, causing long queues.
Khalife, 21, was awaiting trial at HM Prison Wandsworth in London after being accused of leaving fake bombs at a military base.
Police have launched a public appeal to provide information on Khalife’s whereabouts.
Khalife was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, red and white checkered trousers and brown steel toe cap boots.
It is believed Khalife escaped via a prison kitchen by strapping himself to the underside of a food delivery van.
Observant social media users pointed out that the escape route is similar to the 2017 film Paddington 2, where the beloved bear breaks out of prison via the kitchen with the help of fellow inmates.
Although Paddington escaped using a hot air balloon rather than a food delivery van, both jail breaks were conducted via the prison kitchen.
