Enhanced security measures announced by the US Department of Homeland Security in June are starting to come into effect, with passengers from 105 countries being warned of delays.
The new measures replace a laptop ban abandoned by the US government earlier this year and include enhanced passenger screening (which may include short security interviews), heightened inspection of electronic devices, increased protocols around aircraft and passenger areas and the deployment of “advanced technology”, as well as expanded canine searches.
A fact sheet about the initiative on the Department of Homeland Security’s website says “those stakeholders who fail to adopt these requirements within certain timeframes run the risk of additional security restrictions being imposed”.
The enhanced measures affect commercial flights departing from 280 airports around the world. Airlines are warning passengers that pre-flight security procedures on services to the US could take longer than usual due to the new measures. Cathay Pacific has suspended its In Town check-in and self-bag drop services for flights to the US and passengers will be subjected to a “short security interview” at check-in.
Virgin Atlantic is telling customers via its Twitter account that it is not expecting delays as a result of the measures, but is advising customers to arrive at the airport two to three hours ahead of departure as a precaution.
Any passengers flying to the US are advised to check with their carrier if any special measures are in place and whether they should leave extra time to get to their gate.