Global

Airport security increased for international travelers to United States | 11:25 AM GMT, January 6, 2010

In response to the attempted attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Detroit, United States on December 25, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has further enhanced security requirements for international travelers entering the United States.

In a statement from the TSA dated January 3, the administration announced new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the United States effective January 4. According to the statement, "The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners."

More specifically, the TSA has mandated that individuals traveling into the United States from anywhere in the world, who are traveling from or through nations that are "state sponsors of terrorism" or "other countries of interest," will be subject to enhanced screening. Specific details of the enhanced screening methods were not provided, but the directive is said to increase the use of enhanced screening technologies and also mandates "threat-based and random screening" for passengers scheduled on any international flights bound for the United States.

The U.S. State Department lists Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria as state sponsors of terrorism. Neither the TSA announcement nor the U.S. State Department website list the other "countries of interest" for which passengers will face enhanced screening. However, news sources cite a senior government official, not authorized to speak on the record, as including on that list: Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen.

Travelers from other countries may also be subject to enhanced screening or baggage restrictions depending on the specific country and/or airline. Travelers should check with their airline or airport for recommendations regarding security wait times and any other restrictions in place.

Additionally, the directive enables continued flight crew discretion on whether passengers can keep pillows and/or blankets on their laps, should stow personal items, turn off electronic equipment and/or need to remain seated during certain portions of international flights; these additional security measures were originally implemented shortly after December 25.

Additional information from the TSA can be found here.

If clients have any questions about the information contained in this Hot News, they should please contact their CWT representative.