British Airways halts flights to Saudi Arabia

British Airways has grounded its flights to Saudi Arabia following growing concerns over terrorist attacks.

British Airways has grounded its flights to Saudi Arabia following growing concerns over terrorist attacks.

The company chose to temporarily scrap its four services a week to Jeddah and Riyadh after holding talks with the Department for Transport.

A Department for Transport spokesman said yesterday: "There is credible intelligence of a serious threat to UK aviation interests in Saudi Arabia".

BA said there were "heightened security concerns in the region".

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The suspension came as a British man accused of smuggling a missile launcher into the United States appeared in court.

The Russian-made surface-to-air weapon that is alleged to have been smuggled has the potential to bring down a plane.

Indian-born Hemad Lakhani is accused of attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a charge which carries a 15-year jail sentence, US Attorney Christopher Christie told the Federal Court in Newark, New Jersey.

PA