2007 Glasgow Airport Attack

On 30 June 2007 at approximately 15:11 BST, a dark green Jeep Cherokee carrying propane gas canisters and petrol containers was driven at the main terminal entrance of Glasgow Airport. Security bollards prevented the vehicle from entering the building, where an estimated 4,000 people were present. When the vehicle failed to explode, the passenger threw petrol bombs while the driver doused himself in petrol and set himself alight. Members of the public, including airport worker John Smeaton and several bystanders, assisted police in restraining the two occupants. Five members of the public were injured, none seriously; some injuries were sustained by those who intervened.

Police identified the vehicle's occupants as Bilal Abdullah, a UK-born doctor of Iraqi descent working at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Kafeel Ahmed, an Indian-born engineer who was driving the vehicle and suffered severe burns to 90% of his body. Ahmed died from his injuries at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on 2 August 2007. A suicide note reportedly indicated the two intended to die in the attack. Investigators established a link between this incident and car bombs discovered in London the day before, 29 June 2007. Within days, Scotland Yard confirmed that a total of eight people had been taken into custody in connection with the Glasgow and London incidents, including a doctor arrested in Australia whose case was later dropped with no charges brought.

Bilal Abdullah was subsequently transferred from Scotland to London for prosecution under English law, following consent from Scotland's Lord Advocate for a combined case. On 17 December 2009, Abdullah was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of conspiracy to murder in connection with both the London and Glasgow incidents, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years.

The attack prompted the UK terrorism threat level to be raised from "Severe" to "Critical" on the evening of the incident, before being lowered back to "Severe" on 4 July. It was the first terrorist incident in Scotland since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. The airport was evacuated and flights suspended, with a phased reopening beginning the following morning. Several other UK airports introduced additional security measures in response. Members of the public who intervened during the attack, including John Smeaton, were later recognised for their actions; Smeaton received the Queen's Gallantry Medal, and several others received the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in 2010.