No drastic security measures will be introduced at Malta International Airport in the wake of a high security alert at Heathrow Airport in London yesterday.

Speaking to The Malta Independent yesterday afternoon, the manager of security at MIA, Mario Bugeja, said the airport authorities were monitoring the situation in the UK but insisted there “is no cause for alarm or panic”.

Mr Bugeja said the airport would not be introducing any drastic measures similar to those ordered by the UK’s Department of Transport.

“We are maintaining the same level of security however the airport is enforcing the one piece of hand luggage regulation,” Mr Bugeja said, calling on all passengers to cooperate with the airport staff.

Sources at MIA told this newspaper that this regulation will be strictly enforced.

“Passengers need to understand that only one piece of luggage will be allowed and they are advised to carry with them on board the bare essentials. One piece means one piece,” the sources said.

Heathrow Airport in London was closed yesterday after police foiled what Scotland Yard described as plot to blow up planes in flight from the UK to the US and commit “mass murder on an unimaginable scale”.

In a statement yesterday, the UK Department for Transport set out the details of the security measures at UK airports. For example, passengers are not allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK and only the barest essentials – including passports and wallets – will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

The department said that these measures would be reviewed and would need to be in place for a limited period only.

Sources said that if any other measures were to be introduced, the decision would be taken by the Office of the Manager Airport Security in collaboration with the police, armed forces and other security entities in the country.

Meanwhile, at Heathrow Airport, some incoming short-haul flights resumed in the afternoon, but long-haul services were seriously delayed. Several outbound services were also cancelled. The airport was crammed with thousands of passengers, while at Stansted more than 2,000 people were queuing to pass through customs.

However, Malta’s national carrier Air Malta said yesterday that all its flights including those to/from the United Kingdom were operating according to the established schedule.

“Passengers travelling on all flights departing from Malta International Airport are advised that only one piece of hand luggage can be carried on board,” the airline said in a statement.

“The airline is closely monitoring the situation and will advise of any changes in its operations should the need arise. Air Malta passengers who are due to travel to the UK and may wish to contact the airline, may do so on telephone number 2166-2211.”