US tightens airline security rules

Electronics on flights from abroad face more scrutiny

USA TODAY WASHINGTON In a massive escalation of airline security worldwide, hundreds of thousands of travelers flying to the U.S. from overseas will face additional scrutiny for laptops and other electronics larger than cellphones, the Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday.

The tougher standards apply to 180 domestic and foreign airlines that fly direct to the U.S. from 280 airports in 105 countries. The new rules will affect about 2,000 daily flights carrying 325,000 passengers.

Intelligence about terrorists developing ways to hide bombs and infiltrate airport staffing prompted the tougher security measures, according to two senior DHS officials who spoke on background during a conference call for reporters Wednesday.

In the case of recent airline bombings in Egypt and Somalia, investigators suspect airport workers smuggled explosives aboard planes.

“Make no mistake: Our enemies are constantly working to find new methods for disguising explosives, recruiting insiders and hijacking aircraft,” John Kelly, secretary of Homeland Security, said in a speech Wednesday at the Center for a New American Security, a nonprofit that develops security and defense policies.

“It is time that we raise the global baseline of aviation security,” Kelly said. “We cannot play international whack-amole with each new threat.”

DHS expects 99 percent of airlines to be able to meet the new requirements and time frames, the officials said. They did not give specifics on the requirements or the time frame.

If airlines don’t comply, the U.S. could ban electronics larger than cellphones on entire planes — in both carry-on bags and checked luggage, the officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration could also block flights by pulling an airline’s certificate, the officials said.

The new measures will be seen and unseen at airports, Kelly said, and will focus on enhanced screening for electronics, more thorough passenger vetting and measures to reduce the threat of insider attacks.

Protocols will change for passenger areas around gates and on the tarmac around planes.

Security methods could vary by airline and airport.