BAA called to help bear airlines' costs

LONDON, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Three of Britain's biggest airlines want the British Airports Authority to pay some of the $470 million costs of the recent terror-related disruptions.

Five days after a terror plot stranded thousands at Heathrow and other British airports, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and easyJet are demanding that BAA, the nation airport operator, bear part of the resulting cost, the Telegraph reported Tuesday.

Joining the three carriers in seeking government relief are BMI British Midland and Ryanair.

The costs of the disruptions continue: About 20 percent of flights at Heathrow were canceled Tuesday.