United States airlines are ready with new security measures that include stricter passenger screenings on all US-bound flights as they meet the 120-day deadline of the Trump administration designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops.

The measures include short security interviews with passengers which would be in place by Thursday, Reuters quoted Airlines as saying.

The US announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The restrictions were imposed in response to unspecified security threats and were lifted in July.

The Trump administration, however, said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security.

European and US officials told Reuters at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening.&nbsp;

The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing.

The new security measures will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 
countries, Reuters reported.

Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on 
Lufthansa&#39;s Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said it would suspend in-town check-in and self bag-drop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States. The airline said passengers would also have short security interviews and it has advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure.

Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes &quot;are complex security measures&quot; but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules.

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Andrew Herdman said having a globally coordinated security approach made more sense than having destination-specific 
requirements.

&quot;This is not a positive,&quot; he said of the US measures at an industry conference in Taipei. &quot;It adds complexity.&quot;

US authorities in June also increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

The measures include stricter passenger screenings and short security interviews with passengers

United States airlines are ready with new security measures that include stricter passenger screenings on all US-bound flights as they meet the 120-day deadline of the Trump administration designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops. The measures include short security interviews with passengers which would be in place by Thursday, Reuters quoted Airlines as saying. The US announced the new rules in June to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The restrictions were imposed in response to unspecified security threats and were lifted in July. The Trump administration, however, said it could reimpose measures on a case by case basis if airlines and airports did not boost security. European and US officials told Reuters at the time that airlines had 120 days to comply with the measures, including increased passenger screening. The 120-day deadline is Thursday. Airlines had until late July to expand explosive trace detection testing. The new security measures will affect 325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the United States, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries, Reuters reported. Lufthansa Group said on Tuesday the measures would be in place by Thursday and travelers could face short interviews at check-in or at the gate. Economy passengers on Lufthansa's Swiss airline have been asked to check in at least 90 minutes before departure. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said it would suspend in-town check-in and self bag-drop services for passengers booked on direct flights to the United States. The airline said passengers would also have short security interviews and it has advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure. Airlines for America, a US trade group, said the changes "are complex security measures" but praised US officials for giving airlines flexibility in meeting the new rules. Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Andrew Herdman said having a globally coordinated security approach made more sense than having destination-specific requirements. "This is not a positive," he said of the US measures at an industry conference in Taipei. "It adds complexity." US authorities in June also increased security around aircraft and in passenger areas, and other places where travelers can be cleared by US officials before they depart. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said in July it was imposing new security rules requiring US domestic airline travelers to remove all electronic items larger than mobile phones such as tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening.

New security rules for US-bound air passengers kick-off Thursday

Kuwait Airways said Sunday that a ban on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound flights had been lifted by Washington.

&quot;Now our passengers flying from Kuwait International Airport to in #NY will be able to use all of their personal electronic devices,&quot; the emirate&#39;s flag carrier said on Twitter.

The United States in March barred all electronic devices larger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct flights to the US from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, only allowing them in hold luggage.

The ban was brought in after intelligence officials learned of efforts by jihadists from the Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could be hidden inside such devices.

For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from the cabins of direct flights from six countries.

Etihad Airways on Sunday became the first airline to benefit from the lifting of the ban, with flights from the airline&#39;s base in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi no longer affected.

Dubai-based Emirates, Turkish Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabia&#39;s national airline have all said their passengers are now allowed to bring personal electronics on board direct flights to the US.

Flyers will now be able to carry laptops and tablets in the cabins of US bound flights

Kuwait Airways said Sunday that a ban on laptops and tablets in the cabins of its US-bound flights had been lifted by Washington. "Now our passengers flying from Kuwait International Airport to in #NY will be able to use all of their personal electronic devices," the emirate's flag carrier said on Twitter. The United States in March barred all electronic devices larger than a mobile phone in the cabins of direct flights to the US from 10 airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, only allowing them in hold luggage. The ban was brought in after intelligence officials learned of efforts by jihadists from the Islamic State group to produce a bomb that could be hidden inside such devices. For the same reason, Britain also banned similar-sized electronics from the cabins of direct flights from six countries. Etihad Airways on Sunday became the first airline to benefit from the lifting of the ban, with flights from the airline's base in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi no longer affected. Dubai-based Emirates, Turkish Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudi Arabia's national airline have all said their passengers are now allowed to bring personal electronics on board direct flights to the US.

Kuwait Airways says US laptop ban lifted

The US&nbsp;government might expand a ban on larger electronics like laptops in airplane cabins to flights originating from dozens of airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the head of Homeland Security said, though an expansion could be avoided if countries agree to improved security procedures.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/laptop-flight-ban-by-us-uk-was-triggered-by-is-threat-report-13656">Also </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/laptop-flight-ban-by-us-uk-was-triggered-by-is-threat-report-13656">Read:</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/laptop-flight-ban-by-us-uk-was-triggered-by-is-threat-report-13656">&nbsp;Laptop flight ban by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/laptop-flight-ban-by-us-uk-was-triggered-by-is-threat-report-13656">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/laptop-flight-ban-by-us-uk-was-triggered-by-is-threat-report-13656">, UK was triggered by IS threat</a>

The US&nbsp;restrictions imposed in March currently cover about 350 flights a week originating from 10 airports, primarily in the Middle East. Extending the ban to all European airports that directly serve US&nbsp;airports would affect nearly 400 flights a day and cover 30 million travellers and pose major logistical challenges, airlines and security officials say.

&quot;We are looking right now at an additional 71 airports,&quot; Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told a House of Representatives panel.

&quot;We&#39;re also looking at ways that we think we can mitigate the threat&nbsp;without expanding the ban,&quot; he added.

Kelly said his deputy will attend a conference in Malta next week &quot;to present what we think are the minimum increased security standards ... and present those to people to say if you meet these standards we will not ban large electronics.&quot;

The restrictions on laptops announced in March, including on flights originating from airports in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, came amid fears that a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft.

Britain quickly followed suit with restrictions on a slightly different set of routes.&nbsp;Kelly said many countries are working to not be added to the ban list by improving screening to &quot;detect this very sophisticated device&quot;.

He called the danger &quot;real&quot;. &quot;This is a very serious constant threat to knock down an airplane,&quot; Kelly said.

Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan declined to identify the 71 airports that are under consideration.

Any move to restrict carrying larger electronics to the cargo hold of aircraft has potential safety implications related to past problems with laptop batteries. Kelly said he is reviewing those concerns.

US&nbsp;Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao at a Senate hearing on Wednesday said lithium ion batteries on airplanes can be a problem.

&quot;This is a difficult issue that the administration is grappling with especially from a security point of view,&quot; Chao said.

A laptop fire in a cabin can be detected quickly, versus a device stored in a cargo hold. On May 30, a New York JetBlue Airways Corp flight bound for San Francisco was diverted to Michigan because of a lithium battery fire from a passenger laptop in the airplane cabin.

(Reuters)

The US restrictions imposed in March currently cover about 350 flights a week originating from 10 airports, primarily in the Middle East

The US government might expand a ban on larger electronics like laptops in airplane cabins to flights originating from dozens of airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the head of Homeland Security said, though an expansion could be avoided if countries agree to improved security procedures. Also Read: Laptop flight ban by US, UK was triggered by IS threat The US restrictions imposed in March currently cover about 350 flights a week originating from 10 airports, primarily in the Middle East. Extending the ban to all European airports that directly serve US airports would affect nearly 400 flights a day and cover 30 million travellers and pose major logistical challenges, airlines and security officials say. "We are looking right now at an additional 71 airports," Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly told a House of Representatives panel. "We're also looking at ways that we think we can mitigate the threat without expanding the ban," he added. Kelly said his deputy will attend a conference in Malta next week "to present what we think are the minimum increased security standards ... and present those to people to say if you meet these standards we will not ban large electronics." The restrictions on laptops announced in March, including on flights originating from airports in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, came amid fears that a concealed bomb could be installed in electronic devices taken aboard aircraft. Britain quickly followed suit with restrictions on a slightly different set of routes. Kelly said many countries are working to not be added to the ban list by improving screening to "detect this very sophisticated device". He called the danger "real". "This is a very serious constant threat to knock down an airplane," Kelly said. Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan declined to identify the 71 airports that are under consideration. Any move to restrict carrying larger electronics to the cargo hold of aircraft has potential safety implications related to past problems with laptop batteries. Kelly said he is reviewing those concerns. US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao at a Senate hearing on Wednesday said lithium ion batteries on airplanes can be a problem. "This is a difficult issue that the administration is grappling with especially from a security point of view," Chao said. A laptop fire in a cabin can be detected quickly, versus a device stored in a cargo hold. On May 30, a New York JetBlue Airways Corp flight bound for San Francisco was diverted to Michigan because of a lithium battery fire from a passenger laptop in the airplane cabin. (Reuters)

US may expand laptop ban to 71 airports worldwide: Homeland Security

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights in and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, US&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Sunday.

In an interview on &quot;Fox News Sunday,&quot; Kelly said the United States planned to &quot;raise the bar&quot; on airline security, including tightening screening of carry-on items.

&quot;That&#39;s the thing that they are obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it&#39;s a US&nbsp;carrier, particularly if it&#39;s full of US&nbsp;people.&quot;

In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey.

Kelly said the move would be part of a broader airline security effort to combat what he called &quot;a real sophisticated threat.&quot; He said no decision had been made as to the timing of any ban.

&quot;We are still following the intelligence,&quot; he said, &quot;and are in the process of defining this, but we&#39;re going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now.&quot;

Airlines are concerned that a broad ban on laptops may erode customer demand. But none wants an incident aboard one of its airplanes.

&quot;Whatever comes out, we&#39;ll have to comply with,&quot; Oscar Munoz, chief executive officer of United Airlines, told the company&#39;s annual meeting last week.

Airlines were blindsided in January when President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning entry for 90 days to citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, sending airlines scrambling to determine who could board and who could not. The order was later blocked in the courts.

In the case of laptops, the administration is keeping the industry in the loop. Delta Air Lines said in a statement it &quot;continues to be in close contact with the US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security,&quot; while Munoz applauded the administration for giving the company a &quot;heads up.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;ve had constant updates on the subject,&quot; he said. &quot;We know more than most. And again, if there&#39;s a credible threat out there, we need to make sure we take the appropriate measures.&quot;

More scrutiny of carry-ons

Among the enhanced security measures will likely be tighter screening of carry-on items to allow Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents to discern problematic items in tightly stuffed bags.

Kelly said that in order to avoid paying fees for checking bags, people were stuffing them to the point where it was difficult to see through the clutter.

&quot;The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what&#39;s in those bags through the monitors can tell what&#39;s in them.&quot;

The TSA has begun testing certain new procedures at a limited number of airports, requiring people to remove additional items from carry-on bags for separate screenings.

Asked whether the government would expand such measures nationwide, Kelly said: &quot;We might, and likely will.&quot;

(Reuters)

The government had previously imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports

The United States might ban laptops from aircraft cabins on all flights in and out of the country as part of a ramped-up effort to protect against potential security threats, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said on Sunday. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Kelly said the United States planned to "raise the bar" on airline security, including tightening screening of carry-on items. "That's the thing that they are obsessed with, the terrorists, the idea of knocking down an airplane in flight, particularly if it's a US carrier, particularly if it's full of US people." In March, the government imposed restrictions on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins on flights from 10 airports, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Turkey. Kelly said the move would be part of a broader airline security effort to combat what he called "a real sophisticated threat." He said no decision had been made as to the timing of any ban. "We are still following the intelligence," he said, "and are in the process of defining this, but we're going to raise the bar generally speaking for aviation much higher than it is now." Airlines are concerned that a broad ban on laptops may erode customer demand. But none wants an incident aboard one of its airplanes. "Whatever comes out, we'll have to comply with," Oscar Munoz, chief executive officer of United Airlines, told the company's annual meeting last week. Airlines were blindsided in January when President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning entry for 90 days to citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, sending airlines scrambling to determine who could board and who could not. The order was later blocked in the courts. In the case of laptops, the administration is keeping the industry in the loop. Delta Air Lines said in a statement it "continues to be in close contact with the US Department of Homeland Security," while Munoz applauded the administration for giving the company a "heads up." "We've had constant updates on the subject," he said. "We know more than most. And again, if there's a credible threat out there, we need to make sure we take the appropriate measures." More scrutiny of carry-ons Among the enhanced security measures will likely be tighter screening of carry-on items to allow Transport Security Administration (TSA) agents to discern problematic items in tightly stuffed bags. Kelly said that in order to avoid paying fees for checking bags, people were stuffing them to the point where it was difficult to see through the clutter. "The more stuff is in there, the less the TSA professionals that are looking at what's in those bags through the monitors can tell what's in them." The TSA has begun testing certain new procedures at a limited number of airports, requiring people to remove additional items from carry-on bags for separate screenings. Asked whether the government would expand such measures nationwide, Kelly said: "We might, and likely will." (Reuters)

US might ban laptops on all flights into and out of the country

Europe&#39;s aviation regulator voiced concern on Wednesday over the risk of battery fires in the cargo holds of passenger planes after U.S. and British authorities banned certain electronics from passenger cabins despite U.S. assurances that its agency had been thoroughly briefed on the proper handling of electronics.

The European Aviation Safety Agency, which is responsible for safe flying in 32 countries, said personal electronic devices (PED) carried a fire risk due to their lithium batteries and should preferably be carried inside passenger cabins so that any problems could be identified and dealt with.

In regard to the European agency&#39;s concerns, the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration said it had &quot;coordinated closely with the FAA&quot; (Federal Aviation Administration) on the logistics of the ban and that the agency had provided information to airlines regarding appropriate handling of electronics and lithium batteries.

The European agency, however, warned in a bulletin: &quot;When the carriage of PEDs in the cabin is not allowed, it leads to a significant increase of the number of PEDs in the cargo compartment. Certain precautions should therefore be observed to mitigate the risk of accidental fire in the cargo hold.&quot;

Computers in checked baggage must be completely switched off and &quot;well protected from accidental activation,&quot; it added.

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The Cologne, Germany-based agency issued its guidance two weeks after the United States and Britain banned gadgets larger than a smartphone from passenger cabins on flights from certain countries because of security concerns.

The European safety recommendation is not mandatory, but is likely to rekindle a debate about the new rules, which some airline chiefs have criticised as inconsistent or ineffective.

A group representing 38,000 European pilots said last week it was &quot;seriously concerned&quot; about the ban, on the grounds that it could create new safety risks.

&quot;With current airplane cargo hold fire suppression systems, it might prove to be impossible to extinguish a lithium battery fire in the cargo hold, especially when the batteries are stored together. Therefore, any event of this nature during flight would more than likely be catastrophic,&quot; the European Cockpit Association said.

It is not the first time regulators have called for personal devices to be carried in the cabin, but possibly the first time such measures have clashed so directly with security considerations.

In 2015, international regulators urged airlines to transport lithium-powered hoverboards in the cabin following reports of the popular devices catching fire. Several airlines went even further and banned them altogether, but travel experts say such a draconian ban on computers would carry little support from the industry or its lucrative business travellers.

Juggling risk

Security experts say the decision to place electronics into checked bags on U.S.-bound flights from eight Middle East or North African countries suggests Washington has intelligence that enough material can now be packed into a laptop, usually disguised as its battery, to cause catastrophic damage.

Placing such objects in checked baggage would expose them to greater screening for explosives and reduce the chances that a hidden bomb could be deliberately placed next to the cabin wall.

France has been studying whether and how to apply similar restrictions on cabin baggage, security sources say.

Last year, a suspected suicide bomber tried to blow up a Somali jetliner as it was taking off from Mogadishu by placing a computer bomb near the window. He was sucked out of the jet without causing it to crash, but the incident focussed attention on the threat of bombs hidden inside ordinary-looking gadgets.

Reuters last month reported that the rules banning many items from passenger cabins on U.S.- and Britain-bound flights would, however, force a rethink on fire safety concerns now that they were being consigned to the hold.

EASA&#39;s warning highlights the struggle to juggle rules on safety with increasingly stringent security protections and the wider risk that rules to solve one problem can lead to another.

The FAA says such &quot;unintended effects&quot; are one of the common themes it has identified in its database on lessons learned from past crashes.

&quot;The recent laptop ban on certain routes to the USA has brought into sharp relief exactly this challenge,&quot; said UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland.

&quot;Simply taking items powered by lithium batteries and stashing them in the hold is not an option unless done with sufficient attention to safety,&quot; he added.

Safety regulators have focussed for years on the growing headache caused by temperamental lithium-ion batteries.

In 2015, the FAA told airlines not to let passengers pack extra lithium-ion batteries inside their checked baggage.

Airlines had already been alerted to the risk of carrying large shipments of lithium batteries as cargo after a UPS &lt;UPS.N&gt; Boeing 747 cargo jet crashed in 2010, killing both crew.

But current FAA advice suggests it has fewer concerns than its European counterpart about the threat of fires from batteries already installed in individual passenger&#39;s devices.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

It said electronic devices should preferably be carried inside passenger cabins so that any problems can be identified and dealt with

Europe's aviation regulator voiced concern on Wednesday over the risk of battery fires in the cargo holds of passenger planes after U.S. and British authorities banned certain electronics from passenger cabins despite U.S. assurances that its agency had been thoroughly briefed on the proper handling of electronics. The European Aviation Safety Agency, which is responsible for safe flying in 32 countries, said personal electronic devices (PED) carried a fire risk due to their lithium batteries and should preferably be carried inside passenger cabins so that any problems could be identified and dealt with. In regard to the European agency's concerns, the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration said it had "coordinated closely with the FAA" (Federal Aviation Administration) on the logistics of the ban and that the agency had provided information to airlines regarding appropriate handling of electronics and lithium batteries. The European agency, however, warned in a bulletin: "When the carriage of PEDs in the cabin is not allowed, it leads to a significant increase of the number of PEDs in the cargo compartment. Certain precautions should therefore be observed to mitigate the risk of accidental fire in the cargo hold." Computers in checked baggage must be completely switched off and "well protected from accidental activation," it added. The European Aviation Safety Agency said personal electronic devices (PED) carried a fire risk due to their lithium batteries and should preferably be carried inside passenger cabins so that any problems could be identified and dealt with × The Cologne, Germany-based agency issued its guidance two weeks after the United States and Britain banned gadgets larger than a smartphone from passenger cabins on flights from certain countries because of security concerns. The European safety recommendation is not mandatory, but is likely to rekindle a debate about the new rules, which some airline chiefs have criticised as inconsistent or ineffective. A group representing 38,000 European pilots said last week it was "seriously concerned" about the ban, on the grounds that it could create new safety risks. "With current airplane cargo hold fire suppression systems, it might prove to be impossible to extinguish a lithium battery fire in the cargo hold, especially when the batteries are stored together. Therefore, any event of this nature during flight would more than likely be catastrophic," the European Cockpit Association said. It is not the first time regulators have called for personal devices to be carried in the cabin, but possibly the first time such measures have clashed so directly with security considerations. In 2015, international regulators urged airlines to transport lithium-powered hoverboards in the cabin following reports of the popular devices catching fire. Several airlines went even further and banned them altogether, but travel experts say such a draconian ban on computers would carry little support from the industry or its lucrative business travellers. Juggling risk Security experts say the decision to place electronics into checked bags on U.S.-bound flights from eight Middle East or North African countries suggests Washington has intelligence that enough material can now be packed into a laptop, usually disguised as its battery, to cause catastrophic damage. Placing such objects in checked baggage would expose them to greater screening for explosives and reduce the chances that a hidden bomb could be deliberately placed next to the cabin wall. France has been studying whether and how to apply similar restrictions on cabin baggage, security sources say. Last year, a suspected suicide bomber tried to blow up a Somali jetliner as it was taking off from Mogadishu by placing a computer bomb near the window. He was sucked out of the jet without causing it to crash, but the incident focussed attention on the threat of bombs hidden inside ordinary-looking gadgets. Reuters last month reported that the rules banning many items from passenger cabins on U.S.- and Britain-bound flights would, however, force a rethink on fire safety concerns now that they were being consigned to the hold. EASA's warning highlights the struggle to juggle rules on safety with increasingly stringent security protections and the wider risk that rules to solve one problem can lead to another. The FAA says such "unintended effects" are one of the common themes it has identified in its database on lessons learned from past crashes. "The recent laptop ban on certain routes to the USA has brought into sharp relief exactly this challenge," said UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland. "Simply taking items powered by lithium batteries and stashing them in the hold is not an option unless done with sufficient attention to safety," he added. Safety regulators have focussed for years on the growing headache caused by temperamental lithium-ion batteries. In 2015, the FAA told airlines not to let passengers pack extra lithium-ion batteries inside their checked baggage. Airlines had already been alerted to the risk of carrying large shipments of lithium batteries as cargo after a UPS <UPS.N> Boeing 747 cargo jet crashed in 2010, killing both crew. But current FAA advice suggests it has fewer concerns than its European counterpart about the threat of fires from batteries already installed in individual passenger's devices. (Reuters)

European regulator says airlines' laptop ban may compromise safety

The IS and al Qaeda terror groups, developing a bomb small enough to fit in a laptop that could get past airport scanners, may have prompted the US and the UK to ban air travellers from eight Muslim-majority nations from carrying large electronic devices onboard, media reports have said.

According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained.

The concern about such an explosive hidden in a laptop or an electronic device prompted the US and the UK to prohibit travelers flying out of 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and Africa from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices aboard planes.

&quot;As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics,&quot; CBS News quoted a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.

&quot;The US government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements to keep passengers safe. To that end, we use a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen,&quot; it said.

The military and intelligence community have become increasingly concerned in the last few months about the potential ability of terror outfits to get bombs on board airplanes, according to several US officials.

The US has been tracking specific intelligence from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda in Syria and ISIS, officials told CNN.

FBI experts have tested variants of the laptop bombs using different battery and explosive configurations to assess how difficult it would be for airport screeners to detect them, it said.

The airline restriction, which took effect March 21, bans many electronic items from the cabins of planes flying directly to the US from Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.&nbsp;

(PTI)

According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained

The IS and al Qaeda terror groups, developing a bomb small enough to fit in a laptop that could get past airport scanners, may have prompted the US and the UK to ban air travellers from eight Muslim-majority nations from carrying large electronic devices onboard, media reports have said. According to new intelligence, the terror groups have been testing the new bomb on airport scanners they have obtained. The concern about such an explosive hidden in a laptop or an electronic device prompted the US and the UK to prohibit travelers flying out of 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and Africa from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices aboard planes. "As a matter of policy, we do not publicly discuss specific intelligence information. However, evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in electronics," CBS News quoted a statement from the Department of Homeland Security. "The US government continually re-assesses existing intelligence and collects new intelligence. This allows DHS and TSA to constantly evaluate our aviation security processes and policies and make enhancements to keep passengers safe. To that end, we use a robust security system that employs multiple layers of security, both seen and unseen," it said. The military and intelligence community have become increasingly concerned in the last few months about the potential ability of terror outfits to get bombs on board airplanes, according to several US officials. The US has been tracking specific intelligence from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), al Qaeda in Syria and ISIS, officials told CNN. FBI experts have tested variants of the laptop bombs using different battery and explosive configurations to assess how difficult it would be for airport screeners to detect them, it said. The airline restriction, which took effect March 21, bans many electronic items from the cabins of planes flying directly to the US from Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. (PTI)

Terror outfits' new laptop bombs may evade airport security

The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines&#39; flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats.

The restrictions are different in the two countries and only Britain specified the maximum size of device allowed - 16 by 9.3 centimetres (6.3 by 3.7 inches).

Canadian and French officials are considering whether to impose similar measures, but Germany, Australia and New Zealand said they are not currently mulling a ban.

Why is this measure now?

Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP.

&quot;Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives.&quot;

The new measures &quot;will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups - in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices,&quot; he added.

Why is there a ban on only laptops and tablets?

&quot;These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives,&quot; said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security.

By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added.

How can explosives be detected at security inspections?

If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector - a small wipe - to check for any explosives, Caron said.

If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said.

How can they monitor checked baggage?

In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags.

If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check.

&quot;Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat,&quot; Caron said.

&quot;The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine,&quot; which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added.

Has this happened before?

After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said.

&quot;The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery&#39;s housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams,&quot; he said.

Why Arab countries and Turkey?

&quot;The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities,&quot; said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world. 
Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added.

What are the consequences for travellers?

Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. &quot;Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don&#39;t want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It&#39;s going to be complicated to manage.&quot;

(AFP)

The move is prompted by reports that militant groups want to smuggle explosive devices inside electronic gadgets

The United States and Britain have banned laptops and tablet computers from passenger cabins on certain airlines' flights from some airports in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa, citing terror threats. The restrictions are different in the two countries and only Britain specified the maximum size of device allowed - 16 by 9.3 centimetres (6.3 by 3.7 inches). Canadian and French officials are considering whether to impose similar measures, but Germany, Australia and New Zealand said they are not currently mulling a ban. Why is this measure now? Normally, decisions taken by American authorities and implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are the result of specific threats identified by US intelligence agencies, Jean-Charles Brisard, president of the Center for Analysis of Terrorism told AFP. "Certain groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula have been trying for years to adapt to the progressive security measures put in place by the US and their allies, in particular by miniaturising explosives." The new measures "will be based on specific threats, without doubt an initiative by AQAP, one of the most advanced and sophisticated groups - in particular with regards to miniaturisation of explosive devices," he added. Why is there a ban on only laptops and tablets? "These types of electronic devices contain all the component parts of an improvised explosive device (IED) except for the detonator and the actual explosives," said Sebastien Caron, director general of ASCT, a training centre for airport security. By adding those two missing elements, it could be possible to effectively assemble an IED, making these devices more sensitive than other electronics, he added. How can explosives be detected at security inspections? If airport security have any doubt about a passenger and their baggage they can use a trace detector - a small wipe - to check for any explosives, Caron said. If the electronic device has been booby-trapped, there will be traces of explosive of that can be found. The wipe can be analysed in seven seconds and will warn of any explosives detected, the expert said. How can they monitor checked baggage? In France, checked baggage is passed through an Explosive Detection System which can determine whether any explosives are present by analysing the molecules inside the bags. If the machine estimates that there may be a threat, it alerts airport security who can take the bag aside for a more comprehensive check. "Out of 100 bags, only 30 percent pass through a human inspection, who will usually be able to clear 25 out of those 30 of having any threat," Caron said. "The remaining five percent are sent to an even more sophisticated tomography machine," which is a very expensive X-ray or ultrasound machine, he added. Has this happened before? After AQAP and rebel groups in Syria drew closer together in 2014, the TSA banned devices with flat batteries, saying that passengers could be required to demonstrate that laptops and phones could be powered up before boarding planes, Brisard said. "The fear, which was based on precise information, was that the battery's housing could conceal a miniature explosive of just a few hundred grams," he said. Why Arab countries and Turkey? "The reality is that the main threat will come from the countries listed by American authorities," said Brisard, adding that TSA regulations were generally followed around the world. Some countries will not have the same level of security screenings as in the US and other western nations, he added. What are the consequences for travellers? Caron worries that the new measures will cause tension with travellers. "Passengers are mainly business people who need to work or tourists who don't want to be deprived of their devices to relax or watch a movie. It's going to be complicated to manage." (AFP)

Explained: Why US, Britain banned laptops and tablets on airplanes

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