British flight delayed; stadiums monitored

WASHINGTON -- Authorities were concerned with terrorism threats in the air and on the ground Saturday. The British government delayed a London-to-Washington flight for three hours and U.S. officials monitored heavily secured stadiums hosting the first round of football playoffs.

British Airways 223, the most scrutinized flight since the United States declared a high terrorism alert Dec. 21, lifted off from Heathrow Airport just after 1 p.m. EST after intensive security checks and landed safety near Washington about 8 hours later.

The plane had the all-clear earlier from Britain's Transport Department. The subsequent checks added to the misery of passengers on a flight also detained in Washington on Wednesday and canceled Thursday and Friday.

The British government has declined to provide details of its security concerns about the flight. The department said it took action Saturday following discussions "with a variety of sources," including U.S. authorities.

A British Airways morning flight to Washington D.C. left on schedule at 5:55 a.m. EST Saturday.

The United States is working closely with other countries to lessen the threat of terrorism on international flights.

South Korea's national police agency, responding to American requests for international cooperation, said it would have armed officers on individual U.S.-bound flights if warranted, based on information about a terrorist threat to any specific flight.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said Saturday that authorities have been discussing security with the National Football League and the National Collegiate Athletic Association during the playoff and college bowl season.

NFL playoff games Saturday were in Baltimore and Charlotte, N.C., with contests Sunday in Green Bay, Wis., and Indianapolis. There were weekend bowl games in Boise, Idaho, and New Orleans.

NFL spokesman Joe Browne said security has been tight since the Sept. 11 attacks, and air space over stadiums is restricted by federal legislation.

He said security for the Super Bowl, Feb. 1 in Houston, would be even more intense because of the international attention the event receives.

"The number one concern our fans have is the air space," he said. Spectators are less concerned about stadium security because "they see our tightened measures as they enter the gates and the parking lots."