Owais Crawford
On 30 June 2007, Glasgow Airport was the target of a terrorist attack by two men: Bilal Abdullah, a British-born Muslim doctor of Iraqi descent, and Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian-born engineering student. The attack involved driving a Jeep Cherokee loaded with propane canisters and petrol cans at speed into the glass doors of the airport terminal and setting it ablaze. Ahmed died from burns a month after the attack, while Abdullah was convicted of conspiracy to murder and two charges of conspiring to cause explosions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 30 June 2007 |
| Time | 15:11 BST |
| Vehicle | Dark green Jeep Cherokee |
| Vehicle registration number | L808 RDT |
| Vehicle speed | 30 mph (48 km/h) |
| Vehicle contents | Propane canisters, petrol containers, gas cylinders, nails |
| Occupants | Bilal Abdulla, Kafeel Ahmed |
| Description of occupants | "Asian-looking" men |
| Description of attack | Vehicle rammed security bollards at the main entrance of Glasgow Airport |
| Outcome | Vehicle failed to enter the terminal due to security bollards; five members of the public injured |
| Arrests | Eight people were taken into custody, including Mohammed Asha and his wife |
| Charges | Bilal Abdulla was convicted of conspiracy to murder and two charges of conspiring to cause explosions |
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What You'll Learn
The attackers and their backgrounds
The Glasgow Airport attack was carried out by two men, Bilal Abdullah and Kafeel Ahmed. Abdullah was a British-born, Muslim doctor of Iraqi descent working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Ahmed, also known as Khalid Ahmed, was an Indian-born engineer and the driver of the car used in the attack. He was treated for fatal burns at the hospital but died later.
Abdullah and Ahmed are thought to have been planning the London bombings, which took place the day before the Glasgow attack, for several months. They drove to London in two cars packed with gas canisters, petrol, and thousands of nails. The cars were left outside a nightclub in Piccadilly Circus and in Cockspur Street in the city's West End but failed to detonate. Knowing that the police were now on their trail, the pair decided to launch a suicide attack on Glasgow Airport.
In the aftermath of the Glasgow attack, eight people were taken into custody, including Mohammed Asha, an NHS doctor, and his wife, who were arrested near Manchester as they travelled south on the M6. Asha, a Jordanian born in Saudi Arabia, was not in London or Glasgow when the attacks took place, but the prosecution accused him of providing financial aid and spiritual guidance. He was later cleared of all charges.
The attack was thwarted by the quick thinking and bravery of several members of the public, including baggage handler John Smeaton, taxi driver Alex McIlveen, and builder Stephen Clarkson. These individuals helped to restrain the attackers and put out the burning Jeep. Their actions were recognised through awards and honours, including the Queen's Gallantry Medal for Smeaton and Clarkson.
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The attack
On 30 June 2007, at 15:11 BST, Glasgow Airport was the target of a terrorist attack. A dark green Jeep Cherokee, travelling at an estimated speed of 30 mph, was driven by two men at the glass doors of the airport terminal. The car was loaded with propane canisters and set ablaze.
The Jeep struck security bollards outside the entrance, preventing it from entering the terminal, where there were 4,000 people. When the car failed to explode, one of the men, later identified as Bilal Abdulla, threw petrol bombs from the passenger seat. The other, Kafeel Ahmed, doused himself in petrol and set himself alight. Ahmed was the driver and suffered severe burns in the fire. He later died from his burns.
Five members of the public were injured, none seriously. Some injuries were sustained by those assisting the police in detaining the occupants. The two men were apprehended at the scene. Within three days, eight people had been taken into custody in connection with the incident. The attack was linked to the 2007 London car bombs the previous day.
The airport was evacuated and all flights were suspended. The main terminal reopened for an incoming flight the following day and began handling departures approximately two days after the attack.
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The aftermath
In the aftermath of the Glasgow Airport attack, the airport was evacuated, and all flights were suspended. Holidaymakers, some of whom were stuck in aircraft for up to ten hours, were accommodated overnight in the SEC Centre. The airport's main terminal reopened for an incoming flight on 1 July 2007, and began handling departures from 9 am.
The attack was linked to the 2007 London car bombs 36 hours prior. The vehicle used in the Glasgow attack was identified on the M6 motorway, and the two suspects, medical doctor Mohammed Asha and his wife, were arrested. Within three days, eight people had been taken into custody in connection with the incident in Glasgow and London. The two men in the car were identified as Bilal Abdullah, a British-born doctor of Iraqi descent, and Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian-born engineer and the driver, who suffered fatal burns. Ahmed died in the hospital from burns covering 90% of his body.
Several members of the public who intervened to stop the attack were recognised for their bravery. John Smeaton, a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport, was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal. He also gave television interviews to the BBC, ITV, and CNN, and made several public appearances, including at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A tribute website set up in his honour received 500,000 hits in 48 hours, and over 1,000 pints of beer were donated. A Facebook group called the "John Smeaton Appreciation Society" was also established, with over 4,000 members. Alex McIlveen, a taxi driver who tore a tendon in his foot while tackling Ahmed, stated that Smeaton's involvement had been exaggerated in the press.
Other airports in the UK implemented measures to prevent similar attacks, such as blocking off roads approaching terminal buildings. Blackpool International Airport was temporarily shut down.
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The response from the public
The Glasgow Airport attack was a terrorist incident that occurred on 30 June 2007, when a Jeep Cherokee loaded with propane canisters was driven at the glass doors of the airport terminal and set on fire. The attack was carried out by two men, later identified as Bilal Abdullah and Kafeel Ahmed, and resulted in injuries to five members of the public, none of whom were seriously hurt. The public response to the attack was swift and commendable, with several individuals displaying remarkable bravery in the face of danger.
One of the most notable responders was John Smeaton, a former baggage handler at Glasgow Airport. Smeaton, who was off-duty at the time, witnessed the incident unfold and sprang into action, assisting in detaining the attackers. He received widespread recognition for his courageous actions, including the Queen's Gallantry Medal, which was presented to him by the Queen herself at Buckingham Palace. Smeaton also gained international attention through television interviews, and a tribute website set up in his honour received an overwhelming response, with over 500,000 hits in its first 48 hours.
In addition to Smeaton, several other members of the public intervened to thwart the attack. Alex McIlveen, for example, tore a tendon in his foot while tackling the burning Kafeel Ahmed. Stephen Clarkson, who was at the airport to pick up his family, played a crucial role in subduing Ahmed by delivering a blow to his chest. Michael Kerr also intervened and was later dragged to safety by Smeaton. These individuals, along with Smeaton, were recognised at the Pride of Britain Awards in 2007, acknowledging their exceptional bravery.
The attack sparked a sense of unity and resilience among the people of Glasgow and Scotland. A Facebook group called the "John Smeaton Appreciation Society" was established, celebrating Smeaton as "Glasgow's Jack Bauer". The public's response also extended to increased vigilance and support for security measures. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, addressed the nation, stating, "I know that the British people will stand together," urging the public to remain vigilant. Security measures were heightened at various events, such as the T in the Park music festival, and additional concrete car blockers were implemented at the Wimbledon tennis championships.
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The investigation and trial
The Glasgow Airport attack was a terrorist ramming attack that occurred on 30 June 2007, at 15:11 BST. A dark green Jeep Cherokee, with propane canisters and petrol containers on board, was driven at the glass doors of the Glasgow Airport terminal and set ablaze. The car's driver, later identified as Kafeel Ahmed, was severely burnt in the ensuing fire, and five members of the public were injured, none seriously. Some injuries were sustained by those assisting the police in detaining the occupants.
The vehicle was identified using automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) technology on the M6 motorway, between junctions 18 and 17, near Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. The police brought the vehicle to a slow halt and arrested the suspects, medical doctor Mohammed Asha and his wife. The police believed the attack was linked to the 2007 London car bombs 36 hours before.
The attack was carried out by Ahmed and Bilal Abdullah, a British-born, Muslim doctor of Iraqi descent working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Both of the car's occupants were apprehended at the scene. Within three days, eight people had been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
During the attack, Abdullah threw petrol bombs from the passenger seat, while Ahmed doused himself in petrol and set himself alight. Ahmed suffered burns over 90% of his body and died later in hospital. Abdullah was convicted of conspiracy to murder and two charges of conspiring to cause explosions. He was jailed for 32 years.
Several bystanders who intervened in the attack were recognised for their bravery, including John Smeaton, a baggage handler at Glasgow Airport, who was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his actions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Glasgow Airport bombers were Bilal Abdulla, a British-born, Muslim doctor of Iraqi descent, and Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian-born engineer.
Abdulla and Ahmed drove a Jeep Cherokee filled with propane gas cylinders and petrol cans at speed into the doors of the Glasgow Airport departure area. The car was set ablaze and the two men threw petrol bombs and fought with police before being overpowered.
The Glasgow Airport attack resulted in injuries to five members of the public and one of the bombers, Ahmed, who suffered fatal burns and died a month later. The airport was evacuated and all flights were suspended.
Several members of the public were recognised for their bravery in intervening to stop the attack, including John Smeaton, a baggage handler, who received the Queen's Gallantry Medal for his actions.
