ALERT: Department of Homeland Security Enhanced Airport Screening (June 29, 2017)
June 29, 2017
Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced “enhanced security screening measures for all commercial flights to the United States.”
It also stated that the “electronics ban” could be removed, if the 10 airports impacted comply with the new directive and enhanced security measures.
Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly stated:
We cannot play international whack-a-mole with each new threat. Instead, we must put in place new measures across the board to keep the traveling public safe and make it harder for terrorists to succeed.
Today, I am announcing a first step toward this goal by requiring new security measures to be applied to all commercial flights coming into the United States. These measures will be both seen and unseen, and they will be phased in over time.
They will include enhanced screening of electronic devices, more thorough passenger vetting, and new measures designed to mitigate the potential threat of insider attacks.
We will also lay out a clear path to encourage airlines and airports to adopt more sophisticated screening approaches, including better use of explosive detection canines and advanced checkpoint screening technology.
Additionally, we will encourage more airports to become Preclearance locations. This not only enhances security, it also increases convenience by allowing international travelers to go through customs and border security screening before boarding their flights to the United States.
The DHS Fact Sheet specifically states:
Have the current restrictions changed regarding carrying on large personal electronic devices (PEDs) from 10 last point of departure airports with flights to the United States?
The current PEDs restriction implemented in March 2017 will be removed should the 10 airports comply with the enhanced security measures outlined in the TSA directive issued June 28, 2017 and when such procedures are verified by TSA inspectors. For additional information on the current restrictions, visit DHS website: FAQ and Fact Sheet.
According to Travel Weekly:
The DHS isn’t saying much about the details of the new directive. But it will require airlines to implement enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices larger than a cell phone, as well as more thorough screening of public areas in airports.
The news could be viewed as a positive by airlines, which have grown weary of DHS threats to expand the carry-on electronics ban on inbound U.S. flights beyond the current 10 airports in the Middle and North Africa. Last month, Kelly said the ban could be expanded to 71 airports worldwide.
The DHS said Wednesday that the ban will end at the 10 existing airports, which include the hubs of major global carriers Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Turkish Airlines, once carriers at those airports comply with the new directive.
“It’s up to the carriers how quickly they want to move,” the official said.
The official added that he expects 99% of airlines to comply with the directive. But airlines that do not will face a ban on all electronic devices larger than a cell phone, both as carry-ons and in checked bags.
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