Tighter security on inbound US flights comes into force today
Tighter screening procedures come into force today for all flights entering the US, prompting fears of delays for passengers.
Some airlines are advising passengers to check in earlier for flights, but British Airways insisted its flights would be operating as normal.
Airlines had been given 120 days to meet the new regulations which require additional checks on passengers.
Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Eurowings, said travellers to the US might face ‘short interviews’ at check-in or at the gate.
Air France said it would begin the new procedures today at Paris Orly Airport but a week later, on November 2, at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
It said the extra screening would mean questionnaires handed to all passengers.’~¨
Emirates said it was starting ‘pre-screening interviews’ at check-in desks and boarding gates in Dubai, while Cathay Pacific said US-bound passengers would be subject to a ‘short security interview’.
Royal Jordanian said it would begin the new procedures in mid-January after US authorities granted its request for a delay in implementing the measures.
Cathay Pacific has suspended its In Town Check-in and Self-Bag Drop services for passengers booked on flights to the US, with the exception of those travelling on Flight CX888 to New York/JFK via Vancouver.
Its passengers can still check in online, but are asked to check in their baggage at the dedicated counters on Aisle B at Hong Kong airport where they will be subject to a short security interview.
“Passengers without check-in baggage should proceed to the boarding gate directly as early as possible, where they will be also be subject to a short security interview,” it said.
It advised all passengers travelling to the US to arrive at the airport three hours before departure to ensure they can proceed through all airport checkpoints in good time.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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