Homeland Security Announces New Airline Measures

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly announced on Wednesday that all inbound commercial flights to the United States will now be subject to enhanced security measures.

While speaking at the Council for New American Security Conference on Wednesday afternoon, Kelly cited "renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups," and said, "we are not standing on the sidelines while fanatics hatch new plots. The U.S. government is focused on deterring, detecting and disrupting these threats.

Outlining the broad brushstrokes of the new measures, Kelly said they will include enhanced screening of electronic devices, more thorough passenger vetting and "new measures designed to mitigate the potential threat of insider attacks."

"We will also lay out a clear path to encourage airlines and airports to adopt more sophisticated screening approaches, including better use of explosive detection canines and advanced checkpoint screening technology," said Kelly.

The new measures could prove to be good news for passengers affected by a recent ban on laptops and other large electronic devices on flights from 10 international airports. The DHS has said it will remove its PEDs restriction, "should the 10 airports comply with the enhanced security measures outlined in the TSA directive issued June 28, 2017."

While the government had previously said it was considering expanding the laptop ban to some European airports, the new security measures will curtail that expansion, except in the case of non-compliant airports.

As for a timeframe on lifting the ban, DHS says it will happen when the new procedures are implemented and verified by TSA inspectors.

[READMORE] READ MORE: Americans Growing More Content With Airport Security[/READMORE]

The new international measures follow expanded Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures being tested domestically. Earlier this month, the TSA announced the testing of CT scanning technology at one checkpoint at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. While CT scanning is already used to screen checked luggage, the high cost and space needed for the scanners have limited the use of the technology for carry-on luggage.

Representatives from American Airlines, which is part of the test, said the CT scanning technology would allow passengers to leave laptops, liquids and aerosols in carry-on bags while security officers could still examine them more thoroughly.

The DHS has launched a new Aviation Security website, which details information on the new developments.

According to a fact sheet on the site, the new measures will affect approximately 280 airports and 180 airlines in 105 countries. They are expected to impact about 2,100 flights and 325,000 passengers every day.

"It is time to raise the global baseline of aviation security," said Kelly.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Travel Association is encouraging the Trump administration to temper any new security restrictions with a "sustained welcome message to legitimate travelers."

"Travel is the fundamental artery of trade and commerce for our country-and that artery is beginning to clog as a result of both perceived and actual security hurdles for travelers," said Jonathan Grella, Executive Vice President for Public Affairs for U.S. Travel. "We cannot push our travel system to the limit or risk the unintended consequences of too heavy a burden on airports, airlines and travelers. We must ensure security at all costs, but our government also has an imperative to keep trade and commerce flowing."

"The world must hear that we are closed to terror, but open for business," said Grella.

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