More than 325,000 travelers flying to the United States will be affected by new airline security rules that went into effect Oct. 26, 2017. The plans, announced by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) earlier this year, require carriers flying to the U.S. to boost security in the airport and on board flights. U.S. carriers must follow the same rules. Changes could include stricter passenger screenings and interviews, inspections of personal electronic devices, and other measures aimed at keeping airline travelers and crews safe from the threat of explosives. The rules raise concerns over potentially longer wait times and flight delays.
Some airlines already have started implementing measures while others say they were granted permission to delay the new regulations until January. Travelers should check with the airlines for specific recommendations. Most airlines are advising U.S.-bound travelers to arrive earlier than usual at the airport.
The regulations came 120 days after the U.S. lifted a device ban on flights from some Mideast countries.
Separately, two U.S. federal judges blocked a Sept. 24 order by U.S. President Donald Trump that would have banned almost all travel to the United States from seven countries: Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. In addition, citizens of Iraq and some Venezuelan government officials and their families would have faced restrictions or heightened scrutiny on trips to the U.S. The administration is expected to appeal this decision.
Find out how targeted messaging enabled companies to alert affected travelers just minutes after the U.S. banned electronic devices on Mideast flights earlier this year.
