All US-bound flights, including UAE airlines, must comply with US government's enhanced security requirements from Thursday, October 26, 2017.
The measures follow new guidelines received from the US government, which include a directive requiring passenger pre-screening interviews at the check-in counter for originating passengers — and at the boarding gate for transfer and transit passengers.
How will the new security measures affect travellers? Here's what we know so far:
What's changed? How will it effect me as a flyer?
On June 29, 2017, US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly announced new aviation security measures impacting overseas airports that have direct flights to the US. That includes all UAE-based airlines.
The new security measures include stricter passenger screening on all US-bound flights from the airport of origin. Therefore, it is best for US-bound passengers to check in earlier than usual.
The DHS head said if airline carriers refused to follow any of the new security measures they could be banned from operating direct flights to the US.
Kelly's announcement comes as a "watered down" version of the Trump administration's long-delayed travel ban.
The new rules were designed to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to unspecified security threats.]
What if I bring my laptop in the cabin?
You can still do it. All airlines flying into the US allow passengers to carry their laptops and big electronics devices with in the cabin. The new security system is designed to avoid an in-cabin ban on laptops, according to airlines.
What do the new US security measures include?
If you bring your laptop or large electronic device when you fly, the new measures may include short security interviews.
Who will be affected?
325,000 airline passengers on about 2,000 commercial flights arriving daily in the US, on 180 airlines from 280 airports in 105 countries.
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What is the trigger for the new US aviation security rules?
The new rules centre on the potential fire or blast hazard caused by lithium-ion batteries in large electronic devices. At least 4 plane crashes, including one in Dubai, had been blamed on large lithium-ion battery packs causing fires on board.
Moreover, tests done by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) show that large lithium-ion batterries could, in the right conditions, blow up a plane.
The FAA is now proposing a global ban on laptop computers and other large electronic devices from checked bags on international flights.
Why is the US FAA proposing a global ban on laptops?
FAA is pushing for a global ban on laptop computers and other large electronic devices from checked bags on international flights.
The proposal was set to be discussed by a UN aviation agency (International Civil Aviation Orgnisation, or ICAO) this week. The proposal had also been endorsed by European aviation safety regulators, aircraft manufacturers and pilots' unions.
What if I bring my external battery charger for my smartphone?
It's still allowed under present rules, along with laptops. The global ban is still under discussion and it covers large battery-powered electronic devices. There's no clarity on external batter chargers.
What can I do if a ban on travellers checking in laptops becomes global?
Plan ahead. The global ban on laptops is just a proposal for now, but it could expand the limited ban already in place. If it's not necessary to bring your
laptop or gizmo, better leave it at home or office. If you need the data, information or presentation stored in your laptop, save it in a thumb drive in a
format that will be useful or can be played in another computer in your destination city. Alternatively, you may also save file in an cloud-based drive (iCloud or Google drive) so the file will be accessible whereever you get a Wifi signal.
Why are laptop batteries seen as a threat?
Lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous. They are blamed for at least 4 plane crashes. In the right conditions, lithium-ion batteries in laptops and
other objects, such as an aerosol spray can of a hairspray or dry shampoo, could cause an explosion within 40 seconds, according to FAA tests.
Are those tests reliable?
FAA had conducted at least 10 tests on lithium ion batteries. Based on those test results, the FAA was able to convince UN's Montreal-based International
Civil Avaition Organisation (ICAO) two years ago to ban cargo shipments of lithium batteries on passenger planes — and to require that batteries shipped on cargo planes be charged no more than 30 percent. The risk of overheating is lower if the battery isn't fully charged. More recently, the FAA conducted tests
of fully-charged laptops packed in suitcases. In one test, an 8-ounce aerosol can of dry shampoo — permitted in checked baggage — was strapped to the laptop. A heater was placed against the laptop's battery to force it into "thermal runaway.
A fire erupted almost immediately and an explosion within 40 seconds; FAA said that in those tests, they saw enough force to potentially disable the plane fire suppression system. When the fire suppression system on a commercial aircraft is disabled — left unchecked — it could cause the ultimate destruction of the plane, says the FAA.
What is 'thermal runaway' in laptops?
It is condition in which the laptop battery's temperature continually rises. Other tests of laptop batteries packed in suitcases with goods like nail polish
remover, hand sanitizer and rubbing alcohol also resulted in large fires, although no explosions. While most devices larger than a smartphone are already being carried onto flights, rather than checked, says the FAA, the risk of an in-cabin incident is notably smaller.
When is the ICAO meeting?
In June 2017, ICAO said it has established a Multidisciplinary Cargo Safety Group (MCSG) to consider the safety, security and other aspects of the issue of restrictions on passengers’ personal electronic devices (PEDs) being permitted in aircraft cabins.
The proposed ban is being discussed at a meeting of the ICAO panel on dangerous goods. This month and next (October and November) ICAO committees are holding several aviation security-related meetings, workshops and trainings.
The panel is expected to tackle portable electronic devices carried by passengers and crew and come up with recommendations, to be incorporated in the 2019-2020 edition of ICAO's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
When will the global laptop ban go ito effect?
It is not clear. The FAA is presenting its case to ICAO's dangerous goods panel. However, European aviation safety regulators, aircraft manufacturers and pilots' unions have endorsed the proposal. If the panel agrees with the proposal, higher levels of ICAO must adopt it.
