The Christmas Day attempted terror attack on Delta/NWA/KLM flight 253 will intensify and possibly change security procedures worldwide. Since the flight originated in Lagos, Nigeria and the alleged perpetrator also passed through Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, increased security at airports in Europe and Africa, and especially on the affected airlines, is highly likely.

The details of the device used in the attempted attack on the airplane are not clear at this time; it has been suggested by news sources that the suspect used a syringe filled with a chemical to activate some sort of powdered substance.

If this is true, and it is not clear at this time, those who travel with syringes for medical reasons can expect extra scrutiny. Make sure all associated paperwork is readily available and in order and you may want to explore back-up plans for your next destination in case your medication or equipment is confiscated or placed in stowed baggage which may then go astray or be further delayed.

• Since a "powder" may have been involved, any powdery substances - food, spices, makeup - may now be looked at more carefully. If you don't need powder with you, pack it in your luggage instead.
• This is a no-brainer - but allow extra time before your flights.
• Before going to the airport, contact your airline directly for their updated recommendations, especially in the next week or so as the holiday travel season winds down.
• If you are booking your multi-leg or international flights now, avoid tight connections as increased security may delay some flights, or slow you down going from terminal to terminal quickly enough to make a connection.
• While it is tempting to try to avoid extra luggage fees and cram everything into your carryon baggage, if you are stopped for an additional search, every extra item which needs to be rummaged through or inspected just means more delay. BBC and CNN.

Aegean Airlines is offering some great rates to Greece from European cities. You can book now until December 28th for flights departing on or after January 10th, 2010. Many of these destinations can be combined with cheaper flights from the U.S. or Canada. You need to book before December 28th to take advantage of some great deals on off-season flights to Greece; travel must be completed by March 28th, 2010.

From Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid, Munich, Milan, Rome, Vienna, and Berlin, it's just 55 Euros one-way.
From Paris, it's 66 Euro. For London flights, the most expensive of the bunch, the payment is in pounds - 69 of them to be exact. Here's a currency converter to help compare rates.

All fares include all taxes, but they are non-refundable and ticket changes are not allowed, so be sure this is exactly what you want before you book it.

Picture of Aegean Airlines plane © Aegean Airlines; used by permission.

On this day in Greece in 1978, the current design of the Greek flag was officially adopted, though similar flags had waved over Greece since its initial design in 1821. But oddly enough, there is still no "official" shade of blue for the stripes on the flag, and you'll see many variations, all of them technically correct.

More on the Greek Flag.

Allbury Travel, a long-established agency in the UK offering trips to Greece and Cyprus, has ceased operations, the Daily Telegraph reports. The company is also known under the names of Libra Holidays, Argo Holidays and JetLife. Its demise appears to be related to some of the same factors which brought down Scotland's Globespan airline recently. Along with the indefinite closure of the Eurostar, it's a very rough week for European travel.

Britain's ABTA has some useful links on what to do if your travel company has closed.

There is also information from Britain's Civil Aviation Authority on what to do if you are an Allbury Travel client.