Terror alerts are worrying travellers

MORE than 60 per cent of people responding to an Evening Star online poll say the recent terror alerts have put them off flying.

A total of 613 people out of 974 who voted in the poll said the alleged plot to “commit murder on an unimaginable scale” had caused them concerns about flying.

This works out at 63 per cent of people.

The other 37 per cent, 361 people, maintained that the security situation would not put them off taking to the skies.

Travel agents in the town say concerns about flying have not stopped people booking holidays abroad.

Neela Ritson, assistant manager at First Choice in Upper Brook Street, said the firm's Ipswich branch had not had any cancellations since last Thursday's security scare.

“We have only had one customer say he is a bit concerned about flying,” she said.

“It is the safest time to travel as security is so high.

“Week on week, compared to last year, we are up on sales,” she added.

Meanwhile Nicky Bruce at Thomson, in Tavern Street, said custom had remained good in spite of the situation.

“We haven't had anyone cancel and business is flowing just as usual,” she said.

“We have had the same amount of customers each day as we would normally have.

“A lot are asking about delays and the situation with hand luggage but besides that it is business as normal,” she added.

The alert began on August 10 following police raids that led to 24 arrests in London, High Wycombe and Birmingham.

Airline passengers across the country faced huge delays as stringent security measures were imposed following the anti-terrorism operation.

At Stansted Airport traffic queues built up and the terminal was packed with travellers.

Across the country hundreds of flights were cancelled.

Many airports were still suffering the after-effects of the disruption.