Etihad assists police in Australia looking into plane attack plot

Etihad Airways said yesterday it was assisting the Australian authorities with an investigation into a reported extremist plot to bring down a plane.

On Monday, Australian federal police increased security at airports after four men were arrested last weekend in raids across Sydney.

The men – said to be Lebanese-Australian with links to ISIL – have not been charged.

“Etihad is complying fully with the enhanced security measures at airports in Australia and monitoring the situation closely,” a spokesman for the airline said.

The name of the airline to have been targeted has not been revealed.

Earlier, Etihad urged passengers travelling to Australia to arrive at the airport early because of tighter security.

“While there is no direct impact on Etihad Airways’ operations, guests travelling from Australia are advised to arrive at the airport early and expect a longer process than usual,” it said.

“The process may involve physical baggage checks prior to check-in and increased checks at security screening points.”

Reports suggest the plot may have involved a bomb or plan to release a poisonous gas inside the aircraft. Police said it was an improvised device.

US officials said that a foreign intelligence service intercepted communications between the plotters and ISIL members in Syria.

A US source said the plot was “fairly well along” when it was disrupted by Australian authorities. Another said the target seemed to have been a commercial flight from Sydney to the Gulf.

“The security measures at the airports will be in place for as long as we believe they need to be, so it may go on for some time yet,” immigration minister Peter Dutton said.

Etihad is complying fully with the enhanced security measures at airports in Australia and monitoring the situation closely

“It may be that we need to look at the security settings at our airports, in particular our domestic airports, for an ongoing, enduring period.”

In September 2014, Australia’s national terrorist alert level was raised amid fears of attacks inspired by groups such as ISIL.

Including the most recent incident, 13 plots have been foiled in Australia in the past few years, authorities say, and 70 people charged.

But several attacks have taken place in Australia, including the Sydney cafe siege in 2014 that resulted in the death of two hostages held by a gunman.