US requires airports and airlines to check laptops more strictly

The US government will require airports and airlines to put in place stricter security measures for travelers flying to the US. For example, electronics are more strictly controlled. Due to these measures, there will be no laptop ban for Europe.

These are visible and invisible measures, which will apply to all flights flying to the US. The measures include stricter passenger checks, stricter screening of personal electronics such as laptops and stricter security protocols in the vicinity of airports and in passenger areas. The message further mentions the use of “advanced technology” and more checks with dogs. Further details on the precise details of the new measures have not been disclosed. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said more measures could follow.

These measures will be implemented in the coming weeks and months. According to the BBC, airlines and airports must meet all requirements within 120 days. If they don’t, they run the risk that the US will impose even more security measures on them, such as a ban on taking certain electronics in the cabin. In extreme cases, it can be decided that no more flights are allowed to the US. The measures will apply in 105 different countries and affect a total of 180 airlines and about 280 airports. About 2100 flights carrying a total of 325,000 passengers are affected daily.

According to officials at the US Department of Homeland Security, the existing laptop ban, which has been in effect since March in eight countries with large Muslim populations, could be lifted if these countries comply with the new security measures. This concerns airports in the countries of Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The US government has imposed the ban because the government suspects that otherwise terrorists could smuggle bombs in electronics on board. It became clear in mid-May that the laptop ban was not ultimately extended to European flights.