United States: Enhanced electronics screenings on US-bound flights

Event

The United States government has announced plans to introduce stricter security screenings for airline passengers traveling with laptops and other electronics in their carry-on luggage. These new measures - adopted due to terrorism concerns - will apply to all passengers flying into the United States from abroad.

According to the government, airlines will have 21 days - from Tuesday, June 28, when the announcement was made - to implement the first line of security measures (“explosive trace detection”) and 120 days to implement more rigorous screenings. There are fears these enhanced security measures could lead to longer waiting times at security checkpoints in airports.

Context

The new measures are in addition to the so-called “laptop ban” implemented in March 2017 for international flights arriving from eight countries; Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates. All passengers flying directly to the United States from these countries are currently banned from transporting any electronic devices larger than a “normal sized” smartphone (16 cm x 9.3 cm x 1.5 cm / 6.3 in x 3.5 in x 0.6 in) in carry-on luggage. This includes laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, DVD players, and video games.

Advice

Concerned travelers are advised to be prepared for increased waiting times and to contact their airline for more information.