3 days ago
Heathrow airport: Terminal 3 evacuated because of ‘suspicious item'
Thousands of airline passengers face travel disruption after a key terminal at London Heathrow airport was evacuated.
A suspicious item is believed to have been found in a passenger's baggage in Terminal 3, with travellers told to leave the building. Police and emergency services are dealing with the incident.
Terminal 3 is the London home of many major airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Qantas.
British Airways also has a substantial operation to and from the terminal.
It is not clear whether the item was found during the security search or in the arrivals area.
No official communication has yet been made, except for the Heathrow Express rail service – which uses a station beneath Terminal 3. The train operator said: 'Some Heathrow Express trains to and from Heathrow Airport are currently delayed. Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.'
The Piccadilly Line of the London Underground is next to Terminal 2, some distance from Terminal 3.
The circumstances appear similar to the closure of South Terminal at Gatwick in November 2024 following a suspicious item being identified in a passenger's bag during the security search.
On that occasion the traveller and the item were later allowed to travel, but tens of thousands of passengers faced disruption with the terminal closed.
During the afternoon Heathrow Terminal 3 is normally busy with many departures to the Gulf, Asia and North America.
Under air passengers' rights rules, if a flight is cancelled for any reason – including a bomb scare – the airline is obliged to get the traveller to their destination as soon as possible. Until that is achieved, the airlne must provide meals and accommodation as appropriate.
