British Airways and Air France have once again canceled flights to and from the United States at the urging of U.S. officials who cite new evidence al-Qaida may try to use jetliners as flying bombs.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it shared new intelligence on al-Qaida with Britain, France and other foreign governments. A department spokeswoman called the intelligence "specific, credible threat information."
The spokeswoman said there are no plans to raise the official U.S. threat level indicator from Yellow for "elevated," to Orange for "high," as was done during a wave of flight cancellations and delays in the Christmas-New Year holiday period.
In its latest action, Air France canceled two flights from Paris to Washington, and two from Washington to Paris set for Sunday and Monday. British Airways canceled four Sunday and Monday flights between Washington and London, and a Sunday flight from London to Miami.
A U.S. government official said Saturday a third U.S. carrier that flies internationally is also of concern, but the official declined to identify the airline or the point of origin of suspect flights.
In addition, British Airways has canceled at least one upcoming flight to the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
Information for this report is provided by AP.