By late Wednesday afternoon, however, the policy was (for the most part) grounded.

In response to Lone Star Outdoor News’ request for an interview, American Airlines emailed this statement: “American Airlines recently implemented a policy, effective for tickets purchased on or after Sept. 24, 2007, that it would no longer allow the transportation of civilian firearms in checked luggage to Europe and Asia, as a result of onerous restrictions in the United Kingdom.  After hearing from our customers and interested parties, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), American has determined that it can modify its policy to allow legally declared firearms to be transported on nonstop flights to other destinations in Europe outside of the UK, and to our Asian destinations. We regret that, at this time, as a result of UK policies we can not allow civilian transport of firearms into the UK.  We look forward to working with the NRA and other industry groups in an attempt to resolve those issues in the hopes of allowing civilian firearms to be transported to the UK on American Airlines in the near future.”

Tim Wanger, spokesman for American Airlines explained that last year after the terrorism scares in the United Kingdom, customs officials there stepped up the enforcement of existing rules.

“When we violate any single step of those rules – and it’s not frequent, but enough because they are so stringent – we not only are fined, but the UK has also come close to revoking our ability to carry all weapons. That would prevent us from carrying military personnel and their firearms, and we simply can not take that risk,” Wagner explained.

So as of Wednesday, international hunters who’ve yet to book their fall trips with American Airlines to Scotland (or any UK destination) for a bit of deer stalking or grouse hunting will not be allowed to check their firearms and must make alternate arrangements.

We are told by American Airlines’ reservations desk that ticketholders who booked (and paid for) their flights prior to Sept. 24 are exempt from this policy.

However, it is suggested that ticketholding hunters traveling to the UK check with the airline prior to departure to avoid any last-minute surprises.