Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan, 37, was read charges of possession of an explosive, possession of an article for terrorist purposes and carrying a dangerous item on a flight, at Bow Street magistrates court today.
Making his first appearance in court, Mr Rahaham-Alan gave his name and an address in Caracas, Venezuela. He did not enter a plea, and was ordered to appear in court again on February 24.
He was arrested last week in Gatwick during a huge security alert at many UK airports that saw the army station more than 400 troops at Heathrow airport.
Police said that Mr Rahaham-Alan had a Venezuelan passport and arrived on a flight from Caracas. Officers allegedly found a grenade in his luggage and shut the airport's north terminal for several hours.
Bearded and with long black hair, he sat in the dock with a single police officer and a Spanish interpreter during the five-minute hearing.
His lawyer, Peter Corrigan, said he could understand the proceedings in English but the interpreter would provide clarification if necessary.
The clerk read him three charges. She said: "On the 13th of February this year within the jurisdiction of the central criminal court you had in your possession an article - that was a grenade - for use in the commission of an act of terrorism.
"On the same day you had in your possession an explosive substance, that being a grenade, with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property.
"The same day while on a British registered aircraft you had in your possession a dangerous article. That was a hand grenade."
District judge Nicholas Evans concluded the hearing by telling the defendant that he was transferring the case to the Old Bailey.
