British Airways Grounds Three Planes after Possible Radioactive Contamination

By Thomas Hall

Published on November 29, 2006

Authorities began searching the planes after Alexander Litvinenko, a former agent investigating the murder of a prolific Russian investigative reporter, was found to have been poisoned with the highly radioactive element polonium-210. Litvinenko is believed to have traveled on British Airways flights since the poisoning.

All three grounded planes were on the London-Moscow route; however, they had also traveled all over Europe in the last three weeks, including Athens, Barcelona, and Frankfurt.

British Airways is currently making contact with passengers who flew onboard the three aircraft; however, the airline says the risk to the public is low. British Airways has published all affected flights on its website along with a help-line for passengers to contact.

About 30,000 passengers have traveled on 220 flights conducted by the grounded planes during the period of time in question.

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