Airport staff at Britain's busiest travel hubs have been issued with urgent safety directives instructing them to conceal their uniforms when commuting to and from work. The unprecedented measures come following specific intelligence suggesting aviation personnel could be targeted in public spaces.
Workers at Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been formally advised to change into civilian clothing before leaving their homes and to avoid wearing any identifiable work attire during their journeys. The directive extends to covering up uniforms with coats or jackets when travelling on public transport.
Heightened Security Measures
Security sources confirm that the warnings were distributed after intelligence agencies identified potential threats specifically aimed at airport employees. While the exact nature of these threats remains classified, the alert level for aviation staff has been significantly elevated.
One Heathrow employee, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed: "We've been told this isn't just a precaution - there's genuine concern about us being identified as airport workers while we're out in public. Many colleagues are now changing at the airport rather than travelling in uniform."
Industry-Wide Precautions
The security alert appears to affect multiple airports across the country, with similar precautions being implemented at other major travel hubs. Aviation unions have backed the safety measures while calling for additional protection for frontline staff.
Industry experts note that this level of precaution is unusual outside of major security incidents or elevated terror threat levels. The specific targeting of airport uniformed personnel represents a concerning development in aviation security protocols.
Passenger Impact and Response
While the measures primarily affect staff, passengers may notice increased security presence around airport perimeter areas. Airport authorities have emphasised that flight operations remain unaffected and passenger safety protocols continue as normal.
Travel experts advise passengers to allow extra time for their journeys and report any suspicious activity to airport security immediately. The Department for Transport has declined to comment on specific security matters but reaffirmed its commitment to protecting both travellers and aviation staff.
