British Airways halts Saudi Arabia flights

LONDON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- British Airways announced Wednesday it has suspended all flights to Saudi Arabia as a security precaution.

The airline told the BBC the decision was in response to a specific terrorist threat to its planes.

British government officials said the terrorist threat warning was issued by the government's new Joint Terrorism Assessment Center in London.

All BA flights from London Heathrow to both Riyadh and Jeddah were canceled Wednesday. The airline usually operates four flights a week to each city.

Britain's Foreign Office said it does not intend to change its current advice about travel to Saudi Arabia, which warns against all but essential travel to the Middle East nation.