Early morning passengers were caught in heightened security

Managers at Birmingham want passengers to allow extra time to check in and to be aware they can only take essential hand luggage in plastic bags.

Permitted hand luggage includes medicines or equipment, sanitary items (unpacked) and travel documents. No liquids are being permitted.

Mobile phones and laptops are not being allowed in aircraft cabins.

Passengers are also asked to have travel documents ready and to present them with passport open at the right page.

Coventry airport has brought in extra staff to cope with the heightened security and ensure flights leave on time.

Security at all airports in the UK has been tightened after MI5 raised the UK terror threat level to critical - the highest possible.

A terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight from the UK to the US has been disrupted, Scotland Yard has said.

It is thought the plan was to detonate explosive devices smuggled on to aircraft in hand luggage.