Key Washington airport to reopen

Security for air travellers will be far tighter

Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, the last US airport to remain closed since suicide attacks last month, will reopen on Thursday, President George W Bush has announced.

There is no greater symbol that America is back in business than the reopening of this airport

President George W Bush

He said the airport - one of three major commercial airports in the Washington region - would have tough new security measures to guard against the threat of attacks.

These include more armed air marshals on flights.

The airport was closed immediately after four airborne terror attacks on 11 September.

Two planes were crashed into the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York. The towers collapsed shortly afterwards. A third hijacked plane was flown into the Pentagon building which is close to Reagan National.

A fourth plane crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside after what appears to have been a struggle between passengers and the hijackers.

Economic cost

The Washington airport has remained closed until now because of its proximity to the US military nerve centre, as well as the White House and the Capitol building.

Mr Bush has to balance the airport's security with economic needs

The closure cost the local economy millions of dollars, with hotels and restaurants losing business.

Mr Bush has been concerned about the economic impact of keeping the airport closed.

But, in earlier remarks, he said it had been vital to tighten security because the airport's flight paths bring planes close to the White House, the Capitol and the Pentagon.

A BBC correspondent in Washington says the opening will be seen as an important sign that the US is returning to normal.