”’This is the statement issued by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announcing a change to the Nation’s threat level for the aviation sector. In Hawaii and throughout the U.S., security at the airport is raised to the Orange or second highest level. Those flying from Hawaii are advised to arrive at the airport 3 hours ahead for national and international flights and 2 hours early for interisland flights. All passengers will be subjected to additional security screening at the boarding gates and be prohibited from carrying on board any liquids or gels including coffee, bottled water, soft drinks and other beverages. More at https://www.tsa.gov”’
The Department of Homeland Security is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. Currently, there is no indication, however, of plotting within the United States. We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted.
For that reason, the United States Government has raised the nation