FLAGS are flying at half-mast at Stansted Airport while long queues of passengers wait for extended check-ins

Managing director John Stent said airlines had introduced a second set of security checks beyond the X-ray conveyor belt for hand luggage and metal detecting arch.

The second checks in gateway lounges include body and hand luggage searches.

Stansted is advising passengers to allow an extra hour on top of their normal check-in time for the increased security measures and to put items they would normally carry as hand luggage in their cases for storage in aircraft holds.

Clear plastic carrier bags are being distributed to passengers to keep spectacles, money and passports in.

Yesterday, there were 214 passenger flights scheduled to depart from the Essex airport carrying some 21,000 travellers and nine flights were cancelled

Mr Stent said the extra security arrangements had led to airport staff working overtime and contract staff being brought in.

"We are hoping the situation will calm down soon because the current arrangements do put considerable stress on the resources of the airport. But we have a simple mission in life, which is that safety is our top priority," he added.

The airport passenger terminal was due to come to a halt this morning when a three-minute silence was held to mark the European Day of Mourning in memory of the victims.

Last Updated on Fri 14 September 19101 at 15:0