Stricter checks on electronic gadgets for US-bound flights

TRAVELLERS flying into the US via the Middle East or Europe should make sure their smartphones or electronic devices have enough battery power to be switched on when asked to.

This forms part of a new, stringent set of safety measures rolled out by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration on Sunday over fears that Al-Qaeda linked militants could use such devices in attacks on passenger planes.

According to news reports, security officers may ask travellers to turn their devices on and those with powerless devices will be denied boarding and subject to additional screening.

The Department has also requested airport and airline authorities in Europe and the Middle East to examine passengers’ shoes and step up the number of random screenings.

Airlines are thus calling on passengers to allow extra time to get through such processes.

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