TAP phone lines jammed following new security measures

OVER THE course of the first two weeks in August, the TAP Air Portugal call centre registered a record 70,000 calls, 50 per cent more than in the same period in 2005. The figures have increased so dramatically because of an increase in clients with queries concerning the amount, size and weight of hand luggage they are permitted to take on board. Since August 10, when the British government announced it had foiled a terrorist attack involving airplanes and liquid explosives, security at airports worldwide has been stepped up and tightened, with the majority of passengers agreeing with the reinforced security measures and accepting that check-in will take longer.